work as a low official or servant (historical)
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb
to serve as a petty official or servant (historical)
archaicHistorical term, not used in modern language except when discussing historical contexts or in period dramas.
Tā他
nián年
qīng轻
shí时
zài在
yá衙
mén门
lǐ里
dāng当
chāi差
。
He served as a petty official in the yamen when he was young.
Qīng清
cháo朝
shí时
，
xǔ许
duō多
rén人
wèi为
le了
shēng生
jì计
qù去
dāng当
chāi差
。
During the Qing Dynasty, many people became servants or low officials to make a living.
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Zài在
xiǎo小
shuō说
lǐ里
，
zhè这
gè个
jué角
sè色
shì是
gè个
zài在
xiàn县
lìng令
shǒu手
xià下
dāng当
chāi差
de的
xiǎo小
lì吏
。
In the novel, this character is a minor clerk serving under the county magistrate.
noun
male servant (historical)
archaicSpecifically refers to male domestic servants in historical contexts. Often used in classical literature and period films.
Lǎo老
ye爷
chū出
mén门
shí时
，
shēn身
biān边
zǒng总
gēn跟
zhe着
jǐ几
gè个
dāng当
chāi差
de的
。
When the master went out, he was always accompanied by a few servants.
Nà那
gè个
dāng当
chāi差
de的
fēi非
cháng常
jī机
ling灵
，
hěn很
dé得
zhǔ主
rén人
huān欢
xīn心
。
That servant was very clever and well-liked by his master.
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Fǔ府
shàng上
de的
dāng当
chāi差
men们
dōu都
chuān穿
zhe着
tǒng统
yī一
de的
yī衣
fu服
。
The servants in the mansion all wore uniform clothing.