government office; yamen
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 2 examplesnoun
government office; yamen; official building
archaicA classical or literary term for the offices or headquarters of government officials in ancient or pre-modern China. Equivalent to a modern government department or bureau.
Xī昔
rì日
，
bǎi百
xìng姓
dì递
zhuàng状
zi子
xū需
yào要
dào到
guān官
shǔ署
mén门
kǒu口
jī击
gǔ鼓
。
In the old days, common people had to beat a drum at the gate of the government office to submit a petition.
Zhè这
zuò座
gǔ古
jiàn建
zhù筑
céng曾
shì是
dāng当
dì地
de的
guān官
shǔ署
。
This ancient building once served as the local government office.