Meanings
- datedSynonym of Shantou: the Teochew-derived name.
With Waichow subdued and the enemy troops in the entire area surrendering or in headlong flight, Chiang struck at another malcontent general and captured the coastal city of Swatow.
1938, Robert Berkov, Strong Man of China: The Story of Chiang Kai-shek, Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, page 465 more examples
The ports of Cháu-chau or Swatau, in the province of Kwangtung, and Taiwan on Formosa in the province of Fuhkien, will be opened to American commerce, and for Americans to reside with their families, on and after the first day of January, 1860.
[1862 [1859], John E. Ward, “Proclamation of JOHN E. WARD announcing exchange of ratifications of Treaty”, in Treaties between the United States of America and China, Japan Lewchew and Siam, Acts of Congress, and the Attorney-General's Opinion, with the Decrees and Regulations Issued for the Guidance of U.S. Consular Courts in China, Hongkong, →OCLC, page 22This was much too plain speaking for the Imperial devotee, and Han Yü was sentenced to death. On the remonstrance of his fellow-ministers this sentence was commuted, and he was banished under the guise of an appointment to the post of governor of what was then the barbarous region near Swatow. Here he taught the barbarous people, and is still remembered as their greatest benefactor. His expulsion from the demon of ignorance is symbolised in a legend of his expulsion from the rivers of a huge crocodile. The remonstrance which he addressed to it, which is to be found among his works, is a curious combination of solemnity and humour.
1902, J. Campbell Gibson, Mission Problems and Mission Methods in South China, 2nd edition, Oliphant, Anderson & Ferrier, page 56Bangkok is twenty-five miles from the mouth of the River Menam Chow Phya. The usual route to the city is from Singapore, by steamer or rail, though several shipping lines carry cargo direct. There are also steamship connections with Hong Kong, direct or via Swatow, a coastal service between Bangkok and the ports of French Indo-China, and occasional sailings to Java.
1920, Irving National Bank, Trading with the Far East: How to Sell in the Orient: Policies: Methods: Advertising: Credits: Financing: Documents: Deliveries, 2nd edition, New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, page 265A "public trial" at the "people’s park" in Swatow, Kwantung^([sic – meaning Kwangtung]) on April 5, the anniversary of the Tienanmen riots in Peiping, was followed by execution of 11 citizens.
1977 May 15, “Political executions scare mainlanders”, in Free China Weekly, volume XVIII, number 19, Taipei, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 3There were none, and the only evidence of hostile action was some inaccurate anti-aircraft fire far below the F-7B as it made landfall just south of the first target, the port at Swatow.
2015, Stephen Harding, Last to Die : A Defeated Empire, A Forgotten Mission, and the Last American Killed in World War II, Da Capo Press, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 25Synonyms: Shantou
Synonyms & antonyms
proper nounSynonym of Shantou: the Teochew-derived name.
Origin
- Teochew汕頭 /汕头
- EnglishSwatow
From the Postal Romanization of Teochew 汕頭 /汕头 (suan¹ tao⁵).
More words from Teochew
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
Swatow. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Swatow
“Swatow.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Swatow. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Swatow,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Swatow.
Source: Swatow on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.