Definition
说客 (shuì kè) historically refers to a professional persuader in ancient China — someone sent by one ruler to convince another ruler to adopt a certain policy or alliance. In modern usage it carries a negative connotation, describing a lobbyist or smooth talker who uses rhetoric to push a self-serving agenda. The word is often used critically to imply manipulation rather than honest persuasion.
n.
(historical) persuasive envoyperson sent to lobby another ruler(derogatory) lobbyistmanipulative persuader
Examples
- ，说客。Zhànguó shíqī, gè guó jīngcháng pài shuì kè qù yóushuì qítā jūnzhǔ.During the Warring States period, states often sent lobbyists to persuade other rulers.
- 说客，。Tā kàn qǐlái xiàng ge shuì kè, zǒng xiǎng yòng huāyánqiǎoyǔ shuōfú biérén.He looks like a lobbyist, always trying to persuade others with sweet talk.
- 说客，。Zhèxiē shuì kè zài huìyì shàng bùduàn yóushuì, shìtú yǐngxiǎng juécè.These lobbyists kept persuading at the meeting, trying to influence the decision.
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