yáo

繇

Character · Noun

corvée labor; folk song

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

2 senses · 4 examples
1.

noun

corvée labor; forced labor; compulsory service

archaic

Classical usage equivalent to 徭. Often appears in historical texts describing taxation and labor systems.

Qīng轻
yáo繇
bó薄
fù赋
 ，
yǔ与
mín民
xiū休
xi息
 。

Reduce corvée labor and lower taxes to let the people rest and recover.

Yáo繇
yì役
fán繁
zhòng重
 ，
bǎi百
xìng姓
kǔ苦
bù不
kān堪
yán言
 。

The corvée labor was heavy and oppressive, causing unbearable suffering among the common people.

2.

noun

folk song; ballad; rhyme; rumor

archaic

Classical equivalent to 谣. Can refer to folk songs, rhymes, or rumors/prophecies circulating among the people.

Mín民
yáo谣
tóng童
yáo繇
 ，
guǎng广
wéi为
liú流
chuán传
 。

Folk ballads and children's rhymes were widely circulated.

Cǐ此
děng等
yáo繇
yán言
 ，
bù不
zú足
wéi为
xìn信
 。

Such rumors are not worth believing.