支使 (zhī shǐ) — to order someone around; to send on an errand; to send away; to put someone off

Definition

Used when a person of higher status (a boss, parent) directs subordinates to do small tasks or leave. The first sense is active 'ordering around' / sending on errands; the second is dismissing someone. Carries a tone of being bossy or impatient.

verb
to order someone aroundto send on an errandto send awayto put someone off

Examples

  • 支使。
    Lǎo bǎn zǒng xǐ huan zhī shǐ wǒ pǎo tuǐ.
    The boss always likes to send me on errands.
  • 支使。
    Tā zhī shǐ bié rén qù zuò nà xiē má fan shì.
    He orders other people to do those troublesome tasks.
  • 支使。
    Tā bú nài fán dì zhī shǐ kè rén lí kāi le.
    She impatiently sent the guests away.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

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

支zhīsend
使shǐsend

支 and 使 both mean to send someone, so 支使 means sending someone on an errand or ordering them around.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

支 pairs 又 (hand) with 十, a shortened form of 竹 (bamboo), to picture a bamboo branch.

Open 支 →

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
亻Written in full as人rén
Sound part声符shēngfú
吏
吏lì使shǐ
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

使 pairs 亻 (person) with 吏, which pictures a hand holding something like a flag, giving the sense of a representative or ambassador.

Open 使 →

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