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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "minister" with 大臣 (dàchén)

    Topic & Focus

    Explanation

    The noun 大臣 (dàchén) means "minister" or "court official" and refers to high-ranking officials who served a king or emperor in ancient China. It is primarily used in historical contexts, classical stories, and period dramas. In modern Chinese, government ministers are typically called 部长 instead.

    Examples

    • 大臣们纷纷向皇帝进言。

      Dàchénmen fēnfēn xiàng huángdì jìnyán.

      The ministers one after another offered advice to the emperor.

    • 这位大臣一生忠心耿耿。

      Zhè wèi dàchén yīshēng zhōngxīn gěnggěng.

      This minister was loyal and devoted his entire life.

    • 皇帝召集所有大臣商量国事。

      Huángdì zhàojí suǒyǒu dàchén shāngliáng guóshì.

      The emperor summoned all the ministers to discuss state affairs.

    Expressing "minister" with 大臣 (dàchén) | Chinese Grammar