龙王
lóng wáng
Dragon king · trad. 龍王
龙王 (lóngwáng) refers to the Dragon King, a powerful deity in Chinese mythology who rules over the waters and is believed to control rainfall, storms, and floods. He is a central figure in many folk tales and traditional religious practices.
When to use it
This term is primarily used when discussing Chinese mythology, folklore, and traditional culture. It's not a term for everyday conversation but is widely recognized due to its cultural significance. People might historically pray to the Dragon King for rain or good weather.
How to pronounce it
Sounds roughly like “LOHNG-wahng.” Both syllables have a rising tone, so it's pronounced “lóng wáng.”
Other ways to say it
- 四海龙王sì hǎi lóng wángThe Four Dragon Kings (who rule the four seas)
- 龙宫lóng gōngDragon Palace (the underwater dwelling of the Dragon King)
- 龙王庙lóng wáng miàoDragon King Temple (a temple dedicated to the Dragon King)
Examples
古代中国人相信龙王掌管着雨水。
gǔ dài zhōng guó rén xiāng xìn lóng wáng zhǎng guǎn zhe yǔ shuǐ 。
Ancient Chinese people believed the Dragon King controlled rainfall.
渔民们会去龙王庙祈求平安。
yú mín men huì qù lóng wáng miào qí qiú píng ān 。
Fishermen would go to the Dragon King Temple to pray for safety.
孙悟空大闹龙宫，抢走了金箍棒。
sūn wù kōng dà nào lóng gōng ， qiǎng zǒu le jīn gū bàng 。
Sun Wukong wreaked havoc in the Dragon Palace and stole the Golden-Hooped Rod.
Pro tip: The Dragon King is often seen as a dualistic deity: a benevolent bringer of rain and prosperity, but also capable of causing devastating floods if angered. This reflects the powerful and sometimes unpredictable nature of water in traditional Chinese agrarian society.
Related phrases
龙 · Dragon饺子 · Dumpling金龙 · Gold dragon
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