Confucius

American  

[kuhn-fyoo-shuhs] / kənˈfyu ʃəs /

noun

1. Kǔng Qiū, 551? b.c.–478? b.c., Chinese philosopher and teacher.

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Confucius British  

/ kənˈfjuːʃəs /

noun

1. Chinese name Kong Zi or K'ung Fu-tse. 551–479 _bc , Chinese philosopher and teacher of ethics (see Confucianism ). His doctrines were compiled after his death under the title The Analects of Confucius

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Confucius Cultural  

1. A Chinese philosopher of the sixth century b.c.; the founder of Confucianism. His teachings have come down to us as a collection of short sayings.

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Etymology

Origin of Confucius

First recorded in 1770–80; Latinization of Chinese Kǔng Fūzǐ “Master Kung” (birth name Kǔng Qiū ) by European Jesuits in China in the 17th century

Example Sentences

Some academics also reported intimidation by visiting scholars or other Chinese officials, as well as by staff at Confucius Institutes.

From BBC • Feb. 8, 2026

By October, nearly all Confucius Institutes, a Beijing-backed Chinese language and culture program, had closed on American university campuses.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 23, 2023

The GAO report played down national security concerns regarding the institutes, noting that the FBI does not regard Confucius Institutes as a national security threat.

From Washington Times • Oct. 31, 2023

Beijing projects soft power and positions itself as a leader in the Global South, paying for thousands of Chinese university scholarships, cultural exchange programmes and Confucius Institutes.

From BBC • Oct. 16, 2023

Uncle was fond of the phrase “the superior man,” which he said he had taken from the wise man Confucius.

From "Dragonwings" by Laurence Yep