御史 (yùshǐ): imperial censor

Meanings

1 imperial censor
2 official historian / investigator (a formal dynastic title)

Characters

御

Examples

御史负责监察百官。

Yùshǐ fùzé jiānchá bǎiguān.

The imperial censor was responsible for investigating officials.

他考中进士后被任命为御史。

Tā kǎozhòng jìnshì hòu bèi rènmìng wéi yùshǐ.

After passing the imperial exam, he was appointed as a censor.

Tips

history

御史 originally (Zhou/Qin) meant a scribe beside the ruler, then from Qin onward became the throne's impeachment officer — able to dismiss governors, audit the treasury, and (theoretically) criticize the emperor. The top post, 御史大夫, ranked alongside the chancellor.