Qufu
/ˈtʃuːˌfuː/noun
Qufu is a city in Shandong Province, China, traditionally regarded as the birthplace and burial place of Confucius.
Did you know?Qufu was the capital of the ancient state of Lu and became the center of Confucian ritual culture after Confucius’s death.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Chinese
Chinese
曲阜
“The original Chinese name, literally interpretable as “crooked” or “bent hill,” referring to the local terrain.”
Late Zhou period
Chinese
曲阜
“A major settlement associated with the ancient state of Lu in eastern China.”
6th–5th Century BCE
Chinese
曲阜
“The city associated with Confucius, who was born in the nearby state of Lu and whose family was connected with the region.”
Han Dynasty
Chinese
曲阜
“A recognized center of memorial rites honoring Confucius.”
19th Century
Chinese
Qufu
“The modern Romanized form increasingly used in Western geographical and historical writing.”
Modern English
English
Qufu
“The standard English spelling for the city in Shandong, China.”