乡绅 (xiāng shēn) — (historical) local gentry; rural literati-landowner class with social and political influence
Definition
Historical term for the rural gentry — educated landowners with local social and political influence in imperial China, between officials and common villagers. Reads as a formal, literary noun used in historical writing.
noun
(historical) local gentryrural literati-landowner class with social and political influence
Examples
- 乡绅，。Zhè wèi xiāng shēn zài cūn lǐ hěn yǒu wēi wàng, dà jiā dōu tīng tā de.This local gentleman had great prestige in the village, and everyone listened to him.
- 乡绅，。Qīng cháo de xiāng shēn bù jǐn yào guǎn lǐ zú chǎn, hái yào tiáo jiě lín lǐ jiū fēn.The gentry of the Qing dynasty not only managed clan property but also mediated neighborhood disputes.
- 乡绅，。Xiǎo shuō zhōng miáo xiě le yí wèi lè shàn hào shī de xiāng shēn, shēn shòu cūn mín ài dài.The novel depicts a benevolent local gentleman who is deeply loved by the villagers.
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