微臣

wēichén
pronoun

Meanings

  1. 1 this humble servant (an official's self-reference before the emperor)
  2. 2 your humble subject

Examples

Wēichén bù gǎn.
Your humble servant dare not.
Wēichén yǒu yī shì qǐzòu bìxià.
Your humble servant has a matter to report to Your Majesty.

Tips

register
Classical / historical. You'll hear it constantly in palace dramas (宫廷, gōngtíngjù) but never in modern speech. The literal sense is 'tiny / lowly minister.'
history
One of a whole system of self-deprecating pronouns used at court: 微臣 (officials), núbì (eunuchs/maids), érchén (princes addressing the emperor as parent).

Stroke Order

wēi
chén