TongTong
Sign in

侍从 (shì cōng) — attendant, retainer

Definition

A formal noun for a personal attendant or retainer — typically an official who accompanies and serves a ruler, general, or noble, especially in ancient or historical contexts.

noun
attendantretainer
Measure word · 位

Examples

  • ，侍从。
    Zài gǔ dài, huáng dì shēn biān yǒu hěn duō shì cōng.
    In ancient times, there were many attendants around the emperor.
  • 侍从。
    Zhè wèi shì cōng yì zhí gēn suí zài jiāng jūn zuǒ yòu.
    This attendant followed the general at all times.
  • 侍从。
    Tā de shì cōng men zhōng chéng dì wèi tā fú wù.
    His attendants served him loyally.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

侍shìattend
从cóngfollow

侍 means to attend, and 从 means to follow, so together they denote an attendant or follower.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
⺅Written in full as人rénperson
Sound part声符shēngfú
寺
寺sì侍shì
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

侍 has 人 (person) paired with 寺, which gives the sound.

Open 侍 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 從; 从 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
辵辵chuòwalk
Sound part声符shēngfú
从
从cóng從cóng
Same sound today

The traditional form 從 pairs 辵 (walk) with 从, which gives the sound; the character was originally written 从.

Open 从 →
Appears in
Social Roles & Status

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.