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御用 (yù yòng) — (attributive) for imperial use; (historical) used by or belonging to the emperor; (attributive, figurative) hired, in the pay of (often derogatory, suggesting lack of independence)

Definition

Used attributively only. Literally 'for imperial use' (historical); figuratively, 'hired by a powerful side' — a derogatory label suggesting the person or outlet serves as a tool and lacks independence.

adjective
(attributive) for imperial use(historical) used by or belonging to the emperor(attributive, figurative) hiredin the pay of (often derogatory, suggesting lack of independence)

Examples

  • 御用。
    Gǔ dài yù yòng gōng jiàng zhì zuò de cí qì fēi cháng jīng měi.
    The porcelain made by ancient imperial artisans is extremely exquisite.
  • 御用，。
    Zhè wèi bèi chēng wéi yù yòng wén rén de xué zhě, zǒng shì wèi zhèng fǔ zhèng cè biàn hù.
    This scholar, known as a hired pen, always defends government policies.
  • 御用，。
    Zhè jiā méi tǐ shì yù yòng xuān chuán gōng jù, háo wú dú lì xìng.
    This media outlet is a hired propaganda tool, with no independence whatsoever.

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.

御yùimperial
用yònguse

御 (imperial) and 用 (use) together mean for imperial use, hence hired or in the pay of.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
卩卩jiékneeling person
Sound part声符shēngfú
午
午wǔ御yù
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The form combines 午 and 卩, a kneeling person; walking signs add action, and the whole form means govern.

Open 御 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

用 was formed by adding a handle to an earlier form.

Open 用 →
Appears in
History

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