slave; servant; eunuch's self-reference
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 4 examplesnoun
male and female slaves or servants
archaicA general term for domestic servants of both genders in pre-modern Chinese society.
Zài在
gǔ古
dài代
，
fù富
guì贵
rén人
jiā家
cháng常
yǒu有
zhòng众
duō多
nú奴
bì婢
。
In ancient times, wealthy families often had many male and female servants.
Zhè这
jiā家
guī规
xiě写
míng明
nú奴
bì婢
de的
zhí职
zé责
。
The house rules specify the duties of the servants.
noun
eunuch's self-reference when speaking to the emperor or consorts
archaicUsed specifically by court eunuchs as a humble first-person pronoun when addressing the imperial family.
（
Tài太
jiān监
kòu叩
tóu头
dào道
）
nú奴
bì婢
kòu叩
jiàn见
bì陛
xià下
，
wàn万
suì岁
wàn万
suì岁
wàn万
wàn万
suì岁
。
(The eunuch kowtowed and said) Your humble servant pays respects to Your Majesty, long live the emperor.
Huí回
tài太
hòu后
de的
huà话
，
nú奴
bì婢
zhè这
jiù就
qù去
bàn办
。
In reply to the Empress Dowager, this humble servant will go and do it immediately.