(guān) — government official

Definition

官 means a single government official (a person holding office). 官员 is the more common modern term for officials in general; 官吏 is used for ancient officials; 官僚 often implies a negative, inefficient official.

noun
government official
Measure word ·

Examples

  • Tā shì yí wèi qīng guān.
    He is an upright official.
  • Zhè ge guān duì bǎi xìng hěn hǎo.
    This official treats the people well.
  • Gǔ dài de guān hé xiàn zài de guān bù yí yàng.
    Ancient officials and modern officials are different.

Origin

Compound ideograph
六书liùshū
会意huìyì

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

  • mián
  • 𠂤𠂤𠂤

官 pairs 宀, a roof, with 𠂤, rooms beneath it, to depict an official building.

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