大臣 (dà chén) — high-ranking official in a monarchy; minister

Definition

Examples

• 古代大臣的权力很大，有时甚至超过皇帝。
  Gǔ dài dà chén de quán lì hěn dà, yǒu shí shèn zhì chāo guò huáng dì.
  In ancient times, ministers had great power, sometimes even surpassing the emperor.
• 这位大臣向国王提出了改革建议。
  Zhè wèi dà chén xiàng guó wáng tí chū le gǎi gé jiàn yì.
  This minister proposed reform suggestions to the king.
• 朝廷中几位大臣因为意见不合而争吵。
  Cháo tíng zhōng jǐ wèi dà chén yīn wèi yì jiàn bù hé ér zhēng chǎo.
  Several ministers in the court argued because of differing opinions.

Origin