臣

chén

Definitions

chén (noun) official; minister

chén (noun) servant; subject (of a ruler)

Etymology

Pictograph of an eye, similar to 目. Based on the original meaning "glare at", now written as 瞋. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

About

臣 originated as a pictograph of a wide-open eye, closely resembling 目. It first meant "to glare at", a sense later taken over by the compound 瞋. Through phonetic borrowing, the character came to denote a minister or official, a servant of the monarch. In classical Chinese, 臣 also functioned as a humble first-person pronoun used by officials when addressing the emperor.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 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 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 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 Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这位大臣很忠诚。

Zhè wèi dàchén hěn zhōngchéng.

This minister is very loyal.

大臣向国王报告。

Dàchén xiàng guówáng bàogào.

The minister reports to the king.

古代臣子必须忠心。

Gǔdài chénzǐ bìxū zhōngxīn.

In ancient times, officials had to be loyal.

他臣服于强大的力量。

Tā chénfú yú qiángdà de lìliàng.

He submits to the powerful force.

这位大臣不仅聪明，而且勇敢。

Zhè wèi dàchén bùjǐn cōngmíng, érqiě yǒnggǎn.

This minister is not only intelligent but also brave.

在历史上，许多臣子为国王牺牲。

Zài lìshǐ shàng, xǔduō chénzǐ wèi guówáng xīshēng.

In history, many officials sacrificed for the king.

大臣们正在讨论国家大事。

Dàchénmen zhèngzài tǎolùn guójiā dàshì.

The ministers are discussing important national affairs.

尽管面临困难，臣子依然保持忠诚。

Jǐnguǎn miànlín kùnnán, chénzǐ yīrán bǎochí zhōngchéng.

Despite facing difficulties, the official still remains loyal.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 臣

Example Words