僭 (jiàn) - To usurp & to arrogate

僭Tone 4

jiàn ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

健傑

僭 · jiàn

To usurp;

to arrogate;

to overstep one's authority;

to presume beyond one's station.

To usurpto arrogateto overstep one's authority

Usage highlights

Usurp authorityArrogate a titlePresumptuous useUsurp the throneOverstep one's positionPresumptuous rites

Synonyms

  • 篡— to usurp, to seize illegally
  • 越— to overstep, to exceed
  • 窃— to steal (used for usurping titles/positions)

Antonyms

  • 守— to abide by, to observe (rules)
  • 遵— to comply with, to follow
  • 本分— one's duty, proper conduct

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The minister attempted to usurp the throne (僭越).
  • He was accused of arrogating imperial authority (僭称).
  • Wearing clothing above one's rank was considered a transgression (僭用服饰).
  • The vassal state presumptuously used royal rituals (僭用礼乐).

Collocations

  • Usurp authority(僭越)
  • Arrogate a title(僭称)
  • Presumptuous use(僭用)
  • Usurp the throne(僭位)
  • Overstep one's position(僭分)
  • Presumptuous rites(僭礼)

Idioms

  • To overstep one's authority and usurp power(僭越篡权)
  • To arrogate to oneself the title of emperor(僭号称帝)
  • Presumptuous and disrespectful(僭妄无礼)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In imperial China, '僭' described serious violations of social hierarchy, particularly regarding rituals, titles, and authority.
  • Confucian philosophy emphasized strict adherence to social roles, making '僭' a grave moral and political transgression.
  • Historical records frequently use '僭' to condemn ministers or regional rulers who challenged the emperor's exclusive privileges.

FAQ