Definitions

guān (noun) government official
guān (adjective) governmental; official
guān (noun) organ of body

Etymology

Depicts an official person () working in a governmental institution ().

About

The character "官" structurally combines the roof radical "宀" with a component historically representing order or accumulation, etymologically pointing to a managed space or building dedicated to administrative functions. Its original meaning referred specifically to a government building or official residence, but over centuries the term shifted to denote the individuals who administered from such places, thus becoming the standard word for an official or officer. This semantic evolution further extended the character to encompass abstract concepts of public authority and governmental organization, reflecting the integral role of centralized administration in societal structure. While its form has remained consistent, the character's conceptual journey from a physical locale to the persons and institutions of governance demonstrates a natural linguistic adaptation to changing political and social frameworks.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这位员很负责。

Zhè wèi guānyuán hěn fùzé.

This official is very responsible.

这是方消息。

Zhè shì guānfāng xiāoxi.

This is official news.

判决了案件。

Fǎguān pànjué le ànjiàn.

The judge ruled on the case.

那位军来自北京。

Nà wèi jūnguān láizì Běijīng.

That military officer is from Beijing.

场上的规则很复杂。

Guānchǎng shàng de guīzé hěn fùzá.

The rules in officialdom are very complex.

他辞去了自己的职。

Tā cíqù le zìjǐ de guānzhí.

He resigned from his official position.

公司宣了新产品。

Gōngsī guānxuān le xīn chǎnpǐn.

The company officially announced the new product.

员们必须遵守法律法规。

Guānyuánmen bìxū zūnshǒu fǎlǜ fǎguī.

Officials must obey laws and regulations.