圣旨 (shèng zhǐ) — imperial edict, imperial decree (from the emperor)

Definition

A formal written order from the emperor — literally 'sage's intent' (旨 = intent/will). Today used mainly in period dramas and historical writing, not for modern documents.

noun
imperial edictimperial decree (from the emperor)
Measure word · 道

Examples

  • 圣旨。
    Zhè dào shèng zhǐ yāo qiú suǒ yǒu guān yuán lì jí zhí xíng.
    This imperial edict requires all officials to execute it immediately.
  • 圣旨。
    Tài jian zài cháo táng shàng xuān dú le huáng dì de shèng zhǐ.
    The eunuch read the emperor's imperial edict in the court.
  • 圣旨。
    Gǔ zhuāng jù lǐ jīng cháng néng kàn dào huáng dì xià dá shèng zhǐ de chǎng jǐng.
    In period dramas, you often see scenes of the emperor issuing an imperial edict.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

圣shèngsacred/imperial
旨zhǐdecree

“圣” marks imperial or sacred authority and “旨” is a decree, so the word means an imperial edict.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 聖; 圣 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
耳耳ěrear
Sound part声符shēngfú
呈
呈chéng聖shèng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 聖 puts 耳 (ear) beside 呈, which gives the sound; the simplified 圣 is a shorthand, and its parts are not the historical parts.

Open 圣 →

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
甘甘gāndelicious
Sound part声符shēngfú
匕
匕bǐ旨zhǐ
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

旨 combines 甘, meaning delicious, with 匕, a spoon used to taste food; 匕 also gives the sound.

Open 旨 →

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