Definitions

shì to serve as an official; an official; the two chess pieces in Chinese chess guarding the "general" or "king" 將|将[jiàng]

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "仕" originates from the concept of service, etymologically connected to the character "事" meaning affairs or matters, with the addition of the person radical "亻" to specify an individual engaged in such tasks. Structurally, it is a compound of "亻" representing a person and "士" denoting a scholar or warrior, together conveying the idea of a person in a serving or official capacity. Over time, its meaning shifted from general service to a more specific focus on holding government office, reflecting the role of educated individuals in administrative systems, while its form remained consistent in both traditional and simplified contexts.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他决定入从政。

Tā juédìng rù shì cóng zhèng.

He decided to enter government service and pursue a political career.

他的途非常顺利。

Tā de shìtú fēi cháng shùnlì.

His official career path has been very smooth.

这幅古画描绘了唐代的女。

Zhè fú gǔhuà miáohuì le Táng dài de shìnǚ.

This ancient painting depicts court ladies of the Tang Dynasty.

许多古代文人都有出的理想。

Xǔduō gǔdài wénrén dōu yǒu chūshì de lǐxiǎng.

Many ancient scholars had the ideal of taking up an official post.

他家世代宦,门第显赫。

Tā jiā shìdài shìhuàn, méndì xiǎnhè.

His family has served as officials for generations, making it a prominent lineage.

他辞职下海后,再无进之心。

Tā cízhí xiàhǎi hòu, zài wú shìjìn zhī xīn.

After resigning to go into business, he no longer had the desire to advance in officialdom.

这位官员隐自如,备受尊敬。

Zhè wèi guānyuán shì yǐn zìrú, bèi shòu zūnjìng.

This official moves between public service and seclusion with ease and is highly respected.

在那种政局下,想要而不浊谈何容易。

Zài nà zhǒng zhèngjú xià, xiǎng yào shì ér bù zhuó tán hé róngyì.

Under that kind of political situation, wanting to serve as an official without being corrupted was no easy task.