seal handle; political power
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
the handle of an official seal; (fig.) political power; the reins of government
Literally refers to the physical handle attached to an official seal used by government offices. More commonly used as a metaphor for political power or control of the government apparatus.
Yìn印
bǎ把
zi子
zhǎng掌
wò握
zài在
rén人
mín民
shǒu手
lǐ里
。
The reins of government are held in the hands of the people.
Zhè这
ge个
xiàn县
zhǎng长
sǐ死
sǐ死
zhuā抓
zhe着
yìn印
bǎ把
zi子
，
bù不
kěn肯
fàng放
quán权
。
The county magistrate clung desperately to the seal of power, unwilling to delegate authority.
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Zài在
jiù旧
shè社
huì会
，
yìn印
bǎ把
zi子
zhǎng掌
wò握
zài在
bō剥
xuē削
jiē阶
jí级
shǒu手
lǐ里
。
In the old society, the reins of power were held in the hands of the exploiting classes.