powerful and despotic minister; overbearing official
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
powerful minister who holds great authority and acts despotically; overbearing courtier
formalTypically used in historical or political contexts to describe officials who usurp imperial power or act beyond their authority. Often carries a negative connotation.
Lì历
shǐ史
shàng上
jīng经
cháng常
chū出
xiàn现
quán权
chén臣
yòng用
shì事
，
jià架
kōng空
huáng皇
dì帝
de的
chǎng场
miàn面
。
History often saw scenes where powerful ministers ran the government, reducing the emperor to a figurehead.
Nà那
gè个
quán权
chén臣
huò祸
guó国
yāng殃
mín民
，
zuì最
zhōng终
bèi被
cháo朝
tíng廷
chǔ处
sǐ死
。
That despotic minister brought disaster upon the country and its people, and was eventually executed by the court.
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Dōng东
Hàn汉
mò末
nián年
，
quán权
chén臣
Dǒng董
Zhuō卓
zhǎng掌
wò握
le了
cháo朝
tíng廷
dà大
quán权
。
At the end of the Eastern Han dynasty, the powerful minister Dong Zhuo seized control of the imperial court.
Quán权
chén臣
dāng当
dào道
，
zhōng忠
liáng良
zhī之
shì士
wǎng往
wǎng往
shòu受
dào到
pái排
jǐ挤
。
When powerful ministers hold sway, loyal and virtuous officials are often pushed aside.