四民 (sìmín): the four classes of ancient Chi…

Meanings

1 the four classes of ancient China — scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants (士农工商)

Characters

四

Examples

古代社会分为四民：士、农、工、商。

Gǔdài shèhuì fēn wéi sìmín: shì, nóng, gōng, shāng.

Ancient society was divided into the four classes: scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants.

四民之中，士人地位最高。

Sìmín zhī zhōng, shìrén dìwèi zuì gāo.

Among the four classes, scholars held the highest status.

Tips

history

The 四民 hierarchy (士农工商) was codified in 《管子·小匡》: 士农工商四民者，国之石民也 — 'scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants — these four classes are the bedrock of the state.' Merchants ranked last despite often being wealthiest, reflecting Confucian ambivalence about commerce.