Definition
官 (guān) is a general noun for 'government official' and often appears as a suffix in compound titles (e.g., 军官, 警官). 官员 (guān yuán) is a more formal two-character word that specifically refers to a person holding an official position. Unlike 官僚 (guān liáo), 官 itself carries no negative connotation.
noun
government official
Measure word · 个
Easily confused
- 管guǎnsound-alike(verb) to manage, to be in charge of, to take care of
- 关guānsound-alike(verb) to close, to shut, to turn off
- 罐guànsound-alikecan, jar, pot (container)
- 灌guànsound-aliketo pour (a liquid) into; to irrigate
- 惯guànsound-aliketo be used to; to be accustomed to (often 惯了 as a resultative complement)
Examples
- 。Tā shì yí wèi qīng guān.He is an upright official.
- 官。Zhè gè guān duì bǎixìng hěn hǎo.This official treats the people well.
- 官官。Gǔdài de guān hé xiàndài de guān bù yí yàng.Ancient officials and modern officials are different.
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