姑蘇

From the nearby Mount Gusu, likely loaned phonetically from an earlier Wu placename. Variously attested as 姑胥 (OC *kaː sŋa) in later writings that referred to the Kingdom of Wu era, possibly with Tai links (Zhengzhang, 1991).

姑蘇

1. (～城) (historical) The capital of the state of Wu during the Zhou dynasty; a former city located at the site of present-day Suzhou

   • 女以諫者為必用邪？吳子胥不磔姑蘇東門外乎！ [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     女以谏者为必用邪？吴子胥不磔姑苏东门外乎！ [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: Xunzi, c. 3^rd century BCE

     Rǔ yǐ jiàn zhě wéi bì yòng yé? Wú Zǐxū bù zhé Gūsū dōngmén wài hū! [Pinyin]

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

2. (～區) Gusu, a district of modern Suzhou, established in 2012 and comprising the Old City and downtown
3. (～山) Mount Gusu, a mountain near Suzhou
4. (～臺) Gusu Tower, a tower on Mount Gusu believed to have been built by King Fuchai of Wu

   • 居軍三年，吳師自潰。吳王帥其賢良，與其重祿，以上姑蘇。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     居军三年，吴师自溃。吴王帅其贤良，与其重禄，以上姑苏。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: Guoyu, circa 4^th century BCE

     Jū jūn sān nián, Wú shī zì kuì. Wú wáng shuài qí xiánliáng, yǔ qí zhònglù, yǐ shàng Gūsū. [Pinyin]

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

5. (by metonymy, literary) Suzhou itself

   • 姑蘇城外寒山寺，夜半鐘聲到客船。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     姑苏城外寒山寺，夜半钟声到客船。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: c. 8th century, Zhang Ji, 楓橋夜泊 (A Night Mooring Near Maple Bridge), translation based on Witter Bynner's translation

     Gūsū chéng wài Hánshān Sì, yèbàn zhōngshēng dào kèchuán. [Pinyin]

     And I hear, from beyond Suzhou, from the temple on Cold Mountain,
     Ringing for me, here in my boat, the midnight bell.

• (Suzhou City): 蘇州／苏州 (Sūzhōu)

姑蘇

1. chữ Hán form of Cô Tô.