Definition
门子 (mén zǐ) is a noun with three distinct advanced senses. The most common modern meaning is 'knack, trick, or special method' — often used in the phrase 找门子 (zhǎo mén zǐ) meaning 'to pull strings or find a clever way.' Historically, it refers to a doorman or gatekeeper in a yamen (government office), and also to a hanger-on of an aristocrat who seeks personal gain through flattery. The context (e.g., '衙门里的门子' vs '找门子') determines which meaning is intended.
n.
knacktrickspecial method (often in 找门子)doormangatekeeper (esp. in a traditional yamen)hanger-on of an aristocratsycophant
Examples
- ，。Zuò zhè jiàn shì nǐ děi zhǎo duì mén zǐ, bùrán hěn nán chénggōng.To do this, you need to find the right trick, otherwise it's hard to succeed.
- 门子，。Tā zài yámen lǐ dāng guò jǐ nián mén zǐ, hòulái cái shēng le guān.He worked as a doorman in the yamen for a few years, and only later got promoted.
- 门子，。Nàxiē mén zǐ zhěngtiān tǎohǎo bājié guìzú, méi shénme zhēn běnshì.Those hangers-on spend all their time flattering aristocrats; they have no real ability.
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