爪牙 (zhǎo yá) — (literal) claws and fangs of animals; (figurative, derogatory) henchman, lackey, minion
Definition
A derogatory term for a powerful person's hired thugs or followers — literally 'claws and fangs.' Only the figurative sense is used in modern Chinese.
noun
(literal) claws and fangs of animals(figurative, derogatory) henchmanlackeyminion
Examples
- 爪牙，。Lǎo hǔ de zhǎo yá fēi cháng fēng lì, néng qīng yì sī suì liè wù.The tiger's claws and fangs are very sharp, able to easily tear apart prey.
- ，爪牙。Tā wèi le qián, gān yuàn zuò hēi bāng lǎo dà de zhǎo yá.For money, he is willing to be the gang boss's henchman.
- 爪牙。Zhè xiē zhǎo yá shì fàn zuì jí tuán de zhòng yào chéng yuán.These henchmen are important members of the criminal group.
Appears in
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