臣民

chénmín

noun #20,167

Meanings

1 subject (of a kingdom or ruler)
2 subjects of a monarch

Characters

minister; subject; vassal

people; civilian

Examples

HSK 7-9

皇帝对他的臣民施行仁政。

Huángdì duì tā de chénmín shīxíng rénzhèng.

The emperor governed his subjects with benevolence.

HSK 7-9

封建社会中，臣民必须绝对服从君主。

Fēngjiàn shèhuì zhōng, chénmín bìxū juéduì fúcóng jūnzhǔ.

In feudal society, subjects had to obey the monarch absolutely.

Tips

history

臣民 combines 臣 (chén, minister/official/subject) and 民 (mín, people/commoner). In imperial China, all people were 臣民 of the emperor, but 臣 referred specifically to officials while 民 referred to commoners.

Stroke Order

臣 chén

民 mín