Definitions

gào to enjoin; to grant (a title)

Etymology

To verbally  inform also provides the pronunciation

About

The character "诰", with its traditional form "誥", is structured from the semantic component "言" denoting speech and the phonetic element "告", which historically informed its pronunciation and reinforced its association with telling or announcing. Originally, the term referred specifically to formal proclamations or edicts issued by sovereigns or high officials, often used to confer honors, issue commands, or disseminate instructions in an official capacity. Over time, as the language and bureaucratic systems changed, the word's active usage diminished, and it became primarily a historical term found in classical documents and literature, reflecting its narrow application to authoritative decrees rather than general speech.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这本书记载了古代命。

Zhè běn shū jìzǎi le gǔdài gàomìng.

This book records ancient imperial mandates.

皇帝颁布了一道谕。

Huángdì bānbù le yī dào gàoyù.

The emperor issued an imperial edict.

在博物馆里看到了一份封。

Zài bówùguǎn lǐ kàndào le yī fèn gàofēng.

I saw an imperial conferment document in the museum.

文的内容非常严肃。

Gàowén de nèiróng fēicháng yánsù.

The content of the imperial proclamation is very serious.

古代命通常用文言文书写。

Gǔdài gàomìng tōngcháng yòng wényánwén shūxiě.

Ancient imperial mandates were usually written in classical Chinese.

研究者仔细分析了那份书的真伪。

Yánjiū zhě zǐxì fēnxī le nà fèn gàoshū de zhēnwěi.

Researchers carefully analyzed the authenticity of that imperial document.

令的颁布意味着政策的重大变化。

Gàolìng de bānbù yìwèizhe zhèngcè de zhòngdà biànhuà.

The issuance of the imperial decree signifies major changes in policy.

由于谕的权威性,官员们必须严格遵守。

Yóuyú gàoyù de quánwēi xìng, guānyuán men bìxū yángé zūnshǒu.

Due to the authority of the imperial edict, officials must strictly comply.