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

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.

他不愿意向任何人臣服。

Tā bù yuànyì xiàng rènhé rén chénfú.

He was unwilling to submit to anyone.

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