zi2 man4子民
Jyutpingzi2 man4
Yalejí màhn
Definition
Subjects of a ruler, viewed metaphorically as the ruler's children.
writtenpeople
How it's used
Carries a strong sense of paternalism, implying that the ruler views the population with the same protective yet authoritative affection as a parent for their children. It is almost exclusively found in historical dramas, period literature, or when someone is being mockingly grandiose. Using it in a modern political context would sound extremely archaic or ironically condescending.
Examples
How does this monarch treat their subjects?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to refer to citizens in a modern democratic context, as it implies a feudal relationship rather than a civic one. Use 市民 or 人民 instead for contemporary settings.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
