当道 (dāng) — to be in power, to hold sway; to block the way

Definition

当道 (dāngdào) has two unrelated senses: as a verb meaning 'to be in power / hold sway' (about officials or factions), and as a verb meaning 'to block the way'. Pick the sense by context.

verb

to be in powerto hold swayto block the way

Examples

当道，。
Zhè xiē fǔ bài guān yuán dāng shí, bǎi xìng kǔ bù kān yán.
When these corrupt officials were in power, the people suffered unspeakably.
，。
Tā dāng le jǐ nián dào, zuò le bù shǎo hǎo shì.
He held power for a few years and did a lot of good deeds.
当道，！
Bié dāng, ràng wǒ guò qù!
Don't block the way, let me pass!

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