惡乎

Possibly derived from the sequence 於 (OC *qa) 何 (OC *ɡaːl), albeit phonologically problematic (Pulleyblank, 1995).

惡乎

1. (literary) how; what; where; traditionally glossed as 於何 / 于何 or 何所

   • 君子去仁，惡乎成名？ [Traditional Chinese poetry, trad.]
     君子去仁，恶乎成名？ [Traditional Chinese poetry, simp.]

     From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

     Jūnzǐ qù rén, wūhū chéng míng? [Pinyin]

     If a superior man abandon virtue, how can he fulfill the requirements of that name?

   • 「敢問夫子惡乎長？」曰：「我知言，我善養吾浩然之氣。」 [Traditional Chinese poetry, trad.]
     「敢问夫子恶乎长？」曰：「我知言，我善养吾浩然之气。」 [Traditional Chinese poetry, simp.]

     From: Mencius, c. 4^th century BCE

     “gǎnwèn fūzǐ wūhū cháng?” Yuē: “Wǒ zhīyán, wǒ shàn yǎng wú hàorán zhī qì.” [Pinyin]

     'May I venture to ask, wherein you excel, Master?' Mencius answered, 'I discern the true meaning of statements. I am adept at nourishing my noble spirits.'

   • 若夫乘天地之正，而御六氣之辯，以遊無窮者，彼且惡乎待哉！ [Traditional Chinese poetry, trad.]
     若夫乘天地之正，而御六气之辩，以游无穷者，彼且恶乎待哉！ [Traditional Chinese poetry, simp.]

     From: Zhuangzi, circa 3^rd – 2^nd centuries BCE

     Ruòfú chéng tiāndì zhī zhèng, ér yù liùqì zhī biàn, yǐ yóu wúqióng zhě, bǐ qiě wūhū dài zāi! [Pinyin]

     However, suppose someone rides on the true course of heaven and earth and harnesses the changes of the six vital elements of yin, yang, wind, rain, darkness and brightness to travel in the infinite, upon what, then, would such a one need to be dependent?

   • 學惡乎始？惡乎終？ [Traditional Chinese poetry, trad.]
     学恶乎始？恶乎终？ [Traditional Chinese poetry, simp.]

     From: Xunzi, c. 3^rd century BCE

     Xué wūhū shǐ? Wūhū zhōng? [Pinyin]

     Learning—where should it begin and where should it end!