‘Hóu jié’ literally means ‘throat knot’ — ‘hóu’ (喉) refers to the throat or larynx, and ‘jié’ (结) means ‘knot’, ‘lump’, or ‘swelling’. Together, they name the visible protrusion in the front of the neck formed by the thyroid cartilage, especially prominent in many adult males. This anatomical feature becomes more noticeable during puberty due to vocal cord growth and laryngeal enlargement.

While commonly called the ‘Adam’s apple’ in English, ‘hóu jié’ is a neutral, scientific term used in medical contexts, health education, and everyday description. It appears in discussions about voice development, physical examinations, or even casual observations of someone’s neck anatomy. Unlike some colloquial English terms, ‘hóu jié’ carries no slang connotation and is appropriate in formal and informal settings alike.