侍 (shì) - to serve & to attend upon

侍Tone 4

shì ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 亻

上姝

侍 · shì

to serve;

to attend upon;

servant;

attendant;

a court official

to serveto attend uponservant

Usage highlights

to serveattendantmaidservantto wait uponbodyguard

Synonyms

  • 服侍— to serve; to attend to
  • 伺候— to wait upon; to serve
  • 侍奉— to serve respectfully

Antonyms

  • 主— master; host (opposite of servant)
  • 命令— to command (opposite of to serve)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He served as an attendant at the palace (在宫中侍奉).
  • The nurse is caring for the patient (护士在侍候病人).
  • She works as a maid (她做侍女工作).
  • Ancient officials served the emperor (古代官员侍奉皇帝).

Collocations

  • to serve(侍奉)
  • attendant(侍从)
  • maid(侍女)
  • servant(仆人)
  • to wait upon(侍候)
  • bodyguard(侍卫)

Idioms

  • To serve one's parents with filial piety(侍亲至孝)
  • To serve at the side of a ruler(侍立左右)
  • To wait upon and serve(侍奉左右)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In imperial China, '侍' referred to officials who attended directly to the emperor.
  • The character reflects traditional hierarchical relationships where service to superiors was a virtue.
  • Often appears in historical contexts involving palace life and aristocratic households.

FAQ