傭 (yōng) - Hire, employ & servant, hired laborer

傭Tone 1

yōng ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

樱咏

傭 · yōng

Hire, employ;

servant, hired laborer;

ordinary, common;

used in historical contexts for mercenary soldiers.

Hire, employservant, hired laborerordinary, common

Usage highlights

Hire/employHired laborerServantMercenaryEmployment relationshipHired hand

Synonyms

  • 雇— to hire, employ
  • 仆— servant
  • 常— common, ordinary

Antonyms

  • 主— master, owner
  • 贵— noble, precious
  • 奇— unusual, rare

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He hired a servant (雇佣仆人).
  • This is a common occurrence (傭常之事).
  • They worked as hired laborers (做佣工).
  • Mercenary troops were used in ancient wars (佣兵).

Collocations

  • Hire/employ(雇佣)
  • Hired laborer(佣工)
  • Servant(佣人)
  • Mercenary(佣兵)
  • Employment relationship(佣关系)
  • Hired hand(佣户)

Idioms

  • To hire oneself out as labor(佣耕自给)
  • Hired soldiers lack loyalty(佣兵无义)
  • Common customs of the people(民风傭俗)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically referred to hired laborers and servants in feudal Chinese society.
  • The character reflects social stratification where '佣' denoted the working class serving others.
  • In military context, '佣兵' refers to mercenaries who fought for payment rather than loyalty.

FAQ