臣
chén
state official or subject in dynastic China
surname Chen; I, your servant (used in addressing the sovereign); Kangxi radical 131
container (匚) + strokes (丨丨) = official bowing within bounds
The character 臣 originally depicted a wide-open eye turned sideways — the eye of a subject averting or lowering their gaze before a ruler. The components here frame that visual: strokes held within a containing shape, suggesting a figure constrained within their station.
那位臣子每天都要向皇帝汇报。
nà wèi chén zǐ měi tiān dōu yào xiàng huáng dì huì bào。
That official had to report to the emperor every day.
臣以为此事需要再仔细考虑。
chén yǐ wéi cǐ shì xū yào zài zǐ xì kǎo lǜ。
I, your servant, believe this matter needs to be considered more carefully.
Words with 臣
谋臣
móu chén
imperial strategic adviser
臣一主二
chén yī zhǔ èr
One has the right to choose the ruler one serves. (ancient proverb)
臣下
chén xià
official in feudal court
臣仆
chén pú
servant
臣僚
chén liáo
court official (in former times)
臣妾
chén qiè
(literary) I, your servant (self-appellation of a lower-rank female)
臣子
chén zǐ
official in feudal court
臣属
chén shǔ
official in feudal court
臣虏
chén lǔ
slave
臣服
chén fú
to acknowledge allegiance to (some regime)
臣民
chén mín
subject (of a kingdom, ruler etc)
重臣
zhòng chén
important minister