Meaning
This character refers to a court minister or government official serving under a monarch in imperial China. It also denotes a subject or vassal in relation to their ruler. In classical Chinese texts, officials would use 臣 as a humble first-person pronoun when addressing the emperor.
Usage
Primarily used in historical, literary, or formal contexts when discussing ancient Chinese government systems. Modern usage is mostly limited to historical dramas, classical literature, and formal compound words. Native speakers rarely use it in everyday conversation except in fixed expressions or when referencing historical periods.
Examples
- 01古代的大臣需要向皇帝下跪。.Ministers in ancient times had to kneel before the emperor.
- 02他演的忠臣角色很受观众喜爱。.The loyal minister role he played was well-loved by the audience.
Measure words
- 位一位忠臣
- 个一个大臣
Common collocations
- 臣服to submit to, to pledge allegiance
- 为臣to serve as a minister
- 称臣to declare oneself a subject/vassal
Antonyms
Origin
The character depicts a downward-looking eye, symbolizing a person bowing or looking down submissively before a ruler. The pictographic form represents the servile posture of a minister before the emperor.