rebellious minister; traitor
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
rebellious minister; traitorous official
formalA formal, classical term used in historical or political contexts to describe officials who betray or rebel against the ruler or state. Often appears in the idiom '乱臣贼子'.
Zài在
gǔ古
dài代
，
luàn乱
chén臣
zéi贼
zǐ子
bèi被
shì视
wéi为
guó国
jiā家
de的
huò祸
huàn患
。
In ancient times, treacherous ministers and villains were seen as a scourge upon the state.
Shǐ史
shū书
zhōng中
jì记
zǎi载
le了
xǔ许
duō多
yīn因
luàn乱
chén臣
ér而
wáng亡
guó国
de的
gù故
shi事
。
History books record many stories of kingdoms falling due to rebellious ministers.
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Tā他
mì密
móu谋
cuàn篡
wèi位
，
bèi被
hòu后
rén人
chì斥
wéi为
luàn乱
chén臣
。
He conspired to usurp the throne and was denounced by later generations as a traitorous minister.