ancient official; gentry; literati class
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
ancient officials; the gentry or literati class in imperial China
literaryA historical term referring to the class of scholar-officials, typically characterized by their government service, education, and social status. Often used in classical and historical contexts.
Zài在
Míng明
Qīng清
shí时
qī期
，
jìn缙
shēn绅
jiē阶
céng层
yōng拥
yǒu有
hěn很
dà大
de的
shè社
huì会
yǐng影
xiǎng响
lì力
。
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the gentry class wielded great social influence.
Zhè这
běn本
shū书
jì记
zǎi载
le了
dāng当
shí时
dì地
fāng方
jìn缙
shēn绅
de的
shì事
jì迹
。
This book records the deeds of the local gentry of that time.
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Jìn缙
shēn绅
zhī之
yì议
，
wǎng往
wǎng往
néng能
gòu够
yǐng影
xiǎng响
cháo朝
tíng廷
jué决
cè策
。
The discussions of the scholar-officials often could influence imperial court decisions.
Jiù旧
shí时
，
jìn缙
shēn绅
zhī之
jiā家
duō多
yǒu有
cáng藏
shū书
。
In old times, families of the gentry often had many books in their collections.