臣服

chénfú

verb #14,830

Meanings

1 to acknowledge allegiance to
2 to submit to
3 to serve (a ruler)

Characters

minister; subject

to submit; to serve

Examples

HSK 3

他不愿意向任何人臣服。

Tā bù yuànyì xiàng rènhé rén chénfú.

He was unwilling to submit to anyone.

HSK 7-9

那个部落最终向帝国臣服了。

Nàge bùluò zuìzhōng xiàng dìguó chénfú le.

That tribe ultimately submitted to the empire.

Tips

history

臣服 originates from the feudal system where 臣 (minister/subject) formally submitted to a ruler. It carries a strong connotation of surrendering autonomy and accepting subordination.

Stroke Order

臣 chén

服 fú