Definitions
(adjective)
imperial; royal
(verb)
to govern; to control
(verb)
to defend; to resist
Etymology
Depicts a person (卩) using a pestle (午). 午 also represents the sound. The 辵 (walk) component was later added to emphasize action. Based on the original meaning, “to use, to control”. The meaning later shifted to “to govern”. In simplified Chinese 御 is also used to mean "to resist", while in traditional Chinese this meaning is written with a separate character 禦.
About
The character "御" originates from concepts related to controlling a horse, with its structure comprising the radical "彳" for movement and the component "卸" which contributes to notions of handling or managing, thus establishing early meanings of driving and steering. A traditional variant, "禦", incorporates the radical "示" for altar or ritual, specifying a sense of ritualistic defense or warding off. Over centuries, the semantic scope of "御" expanded from concrete actions like driving vehicles to abstract ideas of governance and control, and it further developed into an honorific prefix denoting imperial association, as seen in terms such as "御膳" for imperial cuisine, while its defensive sense became largely absorbed by the variant "禦".
Example Sentences Hide
这件衣服能御寒。
我们需要防御敌人。
御用厨师做了晚餐。
皇帝御驾亲征。
御膳房的食物很美味。
他学会了御风而行。
御前会议讨论了国家大事。
这种材料具有强大的防御能力。