Meaning
朝廷 refers to the imperial court or the central government in feudal China. It encompasses both the physical location where the emperor held court and the entire governing apparatus of the empire, including ministers, officials, and administrative bodies.
Usage
This is a formal, historical term primarily used when discussing ancient Chinese dynasties and imperial governance. Modern Chinese speakers use it when talking about historical periods, classical literature, or historical dramas. In contemporary contexts, 政府 (zhèng fǔ) is used for 'government' instead.
Examples
- 01古代的朝廷掌握着国家的最高权力。.The imperial court in ancient times held the highest power in the nation.
- 02他是朝廷派来的官员，负责管理这个地区。, .He is an official sent by the imperial court, responsible for administering this region.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个朝廷
Common collocations
- 朝廷官员court officials
- 效忠朝廷to be loyal to the imperial court
- 朝廷大事major affairs of the court
Antonyms
Origin
朝 originally meant 'morning' and came to mean 'court' because officials would meet the emperor in the morning. 廷 depicts a courtyard where the sovereign received subjects. Together they formed the compound referring to the imperial court.