to serve as a literary hanger-on; a literary hanger-on
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesverb
(of literati) to be kept by the wealthy and powerful to adorn their status and serve them
formalRefers to a specific historical and social phenomenon where scholars or writers attached themselves to patrons. Often implies a loss of independence and intellectual integrity for personal gain.
Tā他
wèi为
le了
shēng生
jì计
，
bù不
dé得
yǐ已
qù去
bāng帮
xián闲
。
To make a living, he had no choice but to become a literary hanger-on.
Nà那
xiē些
mén门
kè客
bù不
guò过
shì是
bāng帮
xián闲
còu凑
qù趣
，
bìng并
wú无
zhēn真
cái才
shí实
xué学
。
Those retainers were merely hanging around to flatter and amuse, lacking any real talent or learning.
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Gǔ古
dài代
yǒu有
xiē些
wén文
rén人
yǐ以
bāng帮
xián闲
wéi为
shēng生
。
In ancient times, some literati made a living by serving as hangers-on.
noun
a literary hanger-on; a person who serves as described above
formalThe noun form referring to the person who performs the action. Can be used somewhat pejoratively.
Tā他
bù不
guò过
shì是
gè个
bāng帮
xián闲
，
zhuān专
mén门
wéi为
lǎo老
ye爷
shuō说
xiē些
fèng奉
cheng承
huà话
。
He is merely a hanger-on, specializing in flattering the master.
Fǔ府
shàng上
yǎng养
le了
hǎo好
jǐ几
gè个
bāng帮
xián闲
。
The mansion keeps several literary hangers-on.