附庸

fùyōng

noun #30,412

Meanings

1 vassal
2 dependency
3 subordinate state
4 appendage
5 something/someone reduced to a mere accessory

Characters

to attach to, to adhere to

ordinary, common; to use

Examples

HSK 2

这个小国成了大国的附庸。

Zhège xiǎo guó chéng le dàguó de fùyōng.

The small country became a vassal of the great power.

HSK 5

他不愿做别人的附庸。

Tā bù yuàn zuò biéren de fùyōng.

He doesn't want to be anyone's pawn.

HSK 7-9

附庸风雅是一种虚伪的表现。

Fùyōng fēngyǎ shì yī zhǒng xūwěi de biǎoxiàn.

Pretending to appreciate the arts is a form of pretension.

Tips

history

Originally a Zhou-dynasty term: a 附庸 was a small state too minor to hold direct audience with the Zhou king, so it 'attached' (附) itself to a larger feudal state. From there the meaning broadened to any subordinate or dependent entity.

usage

The four-character set phrase 附庸风雅, 'to ape cultured tastes', is a sharp critique of someone who name-drops poetry, art, or wine to seem cultured without actually understanding them. Useful insult.

Stroke Order

附 fù

庸 yōng