爪牙

zhǎoyá

noun #19,864

Meanings

1 pawn
2 lackey
3 henchman
4 claws and teeth

Characters

Examples

HSK 7-9

他不过是老板的爪牙而已。

Tā bùguò shì lǎobǎn de zhǎoyá éryǐ.

He's nothing more than the boss's lackey.

HSK 7-9

警察逮捕了犯罪头目和他的爪牙。

Jǐngchá dàibǔ le fànzuì tóumù hé tā de zhǎoyá.

The police arrested the crime boss and his henchmen.

Tips

history

Originally 爪牙 was neutral, meaning 'claws and teeth' - a ruler's capable aides. Over time it shifted to a strongly negative connotation: minions or accomplices of an evil person.

Stroke Order

爪 zhǎo

牙 yá