公室

gōngshì

noun

Meanings

1 ruling family of a state during the Spring and Autumn period
2 ducal/princely house
3 office room

Characters

Examples

春秋时期，公室与卿大夫的权力斗争频繁。

Chūnqiū shíqī, gōngshì yǔ qīng dàfū de quánlì dòuzhēng pínfán.

During the Spring and Autumn period, power struggles between the ruling house and the noble ministers were frequent.

鲁国公室衰微，三桓掌权。

Lǔ guó gōngshì shuāiwēi, sān huán zhǎngquán.

The ducal house of Lu declined, and the Three Huan families seized power.

Tips

history

In Chinese classical history, 公室 refers to the lineage and household of a feudal ruler (a 公, a duke) during the Spring and Autumn period (770-476 BCE). The story of Lu's 三桓 - three branches of the ruling house overshadowing the duke himself - is a textbook case of 公室 decline.

Stroke Order

公 gōng

室 shì