Definition
御用 originally meant 'for imperial use', referring to items or people serving the emperor. In modern usage, it has a derogatory sense meaning 'hired' or 'in the pay of', often used to criticize intellectuals or media that are perceived as serving a particular interest without independence. It is used as an attributive modifier before nouns.
attr.
(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。Gǔdài yù yòng gōngjiàng zhìzuò de cíqì fēicháng jīngměi.The porcelain made by ancient imperial artisans is extremely exquisite.
- 御用,。Zhè wèi bèi chēng wéi yù yòng wénrén de xuézhě, zǒngshì wèi zhèngfǔ zhèngcè biànhù.This scholar, known as a hired pen, always defends government policies.
- 御用,。Zhè jiā méitǐ shì yù yòng xuānchuán gōngjù, háo wú dú lì xìng.This media outlet is a hired propaganda tool, with no independence whatsoever.
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