tin1 zi2天子
Jyutpingtin1 zi2
Yaletīn jí
Definition
The Emperor of China, regarded as the ruler of the world and the representative of Heaven.
neutralpeople
How it's used
Refers specifically to the historical concept of the Chinese monarch as the supreme ruler ordained by heaven. It carries a heavy sense of historical weight and is rarely used in modern political contexts unless one is being sarcastic or dramatic about someone's arrogant behavior.
Measure word
wai6位waihExamples
Could the emperor really call the shots in ancient times?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to refer to modern heads of state or kings, as it implies a divine mandate that is specific to the imperial era of Chinese history.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
