retired emperor; power behind the throne
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 4 examplesnoun
title for the father of an emperor; emperor who has abdicated in favor of his son
archaicHistorical term referring to emperors who retired but retained honorific status and often still wielded influence.
Qián乾
lóng隆
huáng皇
dì帝
tuì退
wèi位
hòu后
dāng当
le了
tài太
shàng上
huáng皇
。
After abdicating, Emperor Qianlong became the Retired Emperor.
Zài在
lì历
shǐ史
shàng上
，
tài太
shàng上
huáng皇
suī虽
rán然
tuì退
wèi位
，
dàn但
réng仍
yǒu有
yī一
dìng定
yǐng影
xiǎng响
lì力
。
In history, although the retired emperor had abdicated, he still retained certain influence.
noun
power behind the throne; person who wields real power from behind the scenes
Metaphorical usage describing someone who has officially retired or holds no formal title but still controls decisions.
Tā他
suī虽
rán然
yǐ已
jīng经
tuì退
xiū休
，
dàn但
réng仍
shì是
gōng公
sī司
de的
tài太
shàng上
huáng皇
，
suǒ所
yǒu有
zhòng重
dà大
jué决
cè策
dōu都
yào要
jīng经
guò过
tā他
tóng同
yì意
。
Although he has retired, he is still the power behind the throne at the company; all major decisions must go through him.
Zhè这
wèi位
lǎo老
dǒng董
shì事
zhǎng长
shì是
mù幕
hòu后
tài太
shàng上
huáng皇
，
lián连
xiàn现
rèn任
zǒng总
cái裁
dōu都
yào要
tīng听
tā他
de的
。
This old chairman is the power behind the scenes; even the current CEO has to listen to him.