Definition
清官 refers to an honest and upright official in imperial China — a judge or magistrate who resists corruption, follows the law, and serves the people fairly. The term carries strong cultural weight in Chinese history and literature, often contrasted with 贪官 (corrupt official). It's a noun, not an adjective, so you say 他是个清官 ('He is an honest official'), not 他很清官.
n.
honest and upright official (in imperial China)
Examples
- 清官。Lìshǐ shàng yǒu hěnduō qīng guān de gùshi.There are many stories of honest officials in history.
- 清官。Bǎixìng dōu xīwàng yùdào yí wèi qīng guān.The common people all hope to encounter an upright official.
- 清官。Bāo Zhěng shì Sòng dài zhùmíng de qīng guān.Bao Zheng was a famous honest official of the Song dynasty.
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