Hanfu
/ˈhɑːn.fuː/noun
Traditional clothing associated with the Han Chinese and the historical clothing traditions of China.
Did you know?The modern global Hanfu revival grew dramatically in the 21st century, turning historical dress into a visible statement of Han cultural identity.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient China
Old Chinese
漢
“Han; originally associated with the Han River and later with the Han dynasty and its people”
206 BCE–220 CE
Classical Chinese
漢
“The Han dynasty, whose name became an ethnonym for the majority ethnic group of China”
Pre-modern Chinese
Classical Chinese
服
“Clothing, garments, or to wear”
Medieval Chinese
Middle Chinese
漢服
“Han clothing or clothing associated with Han people”
20th–21st Century
Modern Mandarin
漢服 / 汉服 (hànfú)
“Traditional Han Chinese clothing; revived as a modern cultural and fashion movement”
21st Century
English
Hanfu
“An English loanword for traditional Han Chinese dress”
Explore more surprising origins