retainer, subject
On'yomi (音読み)
- シン
- ジン
Kun'yomi (訓読み)
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About this kanji
The kanji 「臣」 primarily means "retainer" or "subject" and is often used in the context of government and nobility. It is normally seen in noun forms rather than verbs. For example, 大臣 (だいじん) translates to "cabinet minister," while 総理大臣 (そうりだいじん) means "prime minister." Another common compound is 忠臣 (ちゅうしん), which refers to a "loyal retainer," and 家臣 (かしん) means "vassal." It's worth noting that this kanji emphasizes hierarchical relationships, often indicating loyalty to a superior in a political or feudal context.
Example sentences
天皇の臣下として仕えた。
I served as a retainer to the emperor.
Meanings across languages
- English
- retainer, subject
- Tiếng Việt
- người giữ, thần
- 日本語
- 臣, 従者
- 한국어
- 신하, 주제
- 中文
- 臣, 属下
- id
- pembantu, subjek
- th
- ข้ารับใช้, เรื่อง
- es
- retainer, sujeto
- fr
- vassal, sujet
- de
- Untergebener, Subjekt
- pt
- vassalo, sujeito
Common compounds
- 大臣だいじんcabinet minister
- 総理大臣そうりだいじんprime minister (as the head of a cabinet government), premier
- 忠臣ちゅうしんloyal retainer, loyal subject
- 家臣かしんvassal, retainer
- 内大臣ないだいじんLord Keeper of the Privy Seal (1885-1945), Minister of the Interior (669-1868)
- 国務大臣こくむだいじんminister of state, cabinet minister (in Japan)
- 重臣じゅうしんchief vassal, senior statesman
- 遺臣いしんsurviving retainer
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