吏

lì

一 + 史

Definitions

lì minor government official or functionary (old)

Etymology

The characters 史 (history), 吏 (government official), 使 (cause; use; instruct), and 事 (matter; work; affair) are all etymologically related and all derive from the same ancient character, depicting a hand (又) holding a container for writing utensils. 吏 and 史 were originally written the same, but later an extra mark was added to distinguish them.

About

The character 吏 shares its origin with 史, 使, and 事, all from a single ancient pictograph of a hand (又) gripping a container for brushes or writing tools. Originally, 吏 and 史 were indistinguishable, but a small mark (similar to 一) was later placed on top of 史 to form 吏. This new character came to denote low-level government functionaries: clerks, record-keepers, and local administrators, as opposed to high ministers. Its scope covers civil administration, documentation, and local law enforcement. The structure, hand, container, and distinguishing stroke, evokes the handling of official papers and bureaucratic tasks, rooting the character firmly in the realm of government service.

Etymology Hide

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

官吏管理百姓。

guān lì guǎn lǐ bǎi xìng.

Officials manage the people.

这个小吏很勤奋。

zhè gè xiǎo lì hěn qín fèn.

This minor official is very diligent.

吏部负责官员选拔。

lì bù fù zé guān yuán xuǎn bá.

The Ministry of Personnel is responsible for selecting officials.

酷吏常常欺压平民。

kù lì cháng cháng qī yā píng mín.

Tyrannical officials often oppress the common people.

古代吏治严格而复杂。

gǔ dài lì zhì yán gé ér fù zá.

Ancient official administration was strict and complex.

那位吏员正在整理档案。

nà wèi lì yuán zhèng zài zhěng lǐ dàng àn.

That clerk is organizing the files.

吏治腐败导致王朝衰落。

lì zhì fǔ bài dǎo zhì wáng cháo shuāi luò.

Corruption in official administration led to the dynasty's decline.

通过考核才能成为合格的官吏。

tōng guò kǎo hé cái néng chéng wéi hé gé de guān lì.

Only by passing the examination can one become a qualified official.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 一

Component: 史

吏