进贡

進貢

jìngòng

verb #34,109

Meanings

1 to present tribute (to a suzerain or emperor)
2 (figurative, often joking) to send gifts upward to a superior

Characters

to present; advance

Examples

HSK 4

他每周都给老板进贡好茶叶。

Tā měizhōu dōu gěi lǎobǎn jìngòng hǎo cháyè.

He gives the boss good tea every week (lit. 'pays him tribute').

HSK 7-9

古代藩国每年向中央朝廷进贡。

Gǔdài fān guó měinián xiàng zhōngyāng cháotíng jìngòng.

In ancient times vassal states presented tribute to the central court every year.

Tips

history

进贡 was the bedrock of imperial China's foreign relations - the 朝贡体系 ('tributary system') by which Korea, Vietnam, the Ryukyus and others sent envoys with goods to receive Chinese recognition and lavish return gifts. Modern usage usually borrows this for ironic effect about gift-giving to a superior.

Stroke Order

进 jìn

贡 gòng