榷 (què) - To monopolize & to levy taxes

榷Tone 4

què ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

情仁

榷 · què

To monopolize;

to levy taxes;

to discuss and decide;

to assess;

specifically refers to government monopoly or taxation on certain goods.

To monopolizeto levy taxesto discuss and decide

Usage highlights

Monopoly systemDiscuss and decideTax on alcoholTea monopolyGovernment monopolyTaxation policy

Synonyms

  • 专— monopoly; exclusive control
  • 税— tax; levy
  • 议— discuss; deliberate

Antonyms

  • 放— release; liberalize (opposite of monopoly)
  • 免— exempt; free (opposite of taxation)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The government monopolized salt and iron (盐铁专卖).
  • They discussed and finalized the policy (商榷政策).
  • The tax on tea was an important revenue source (茶榷).
  • We need to deliberate on this proposal (榷议此事).

Collocations

  • Monopoly system(专卖制度)
  • Discuss and decide(商榷)
  • Tax on alcohol(酒榷)
  • Tea monopoly(茶榷)
  • Government monopoly(官榷)
  • Taxation policy(征税政策)

Idioms

  • To discuss and deliberate(商榷)
  • Government monopoly system(专卖制度)
  • Taxation on commodities(货物征税)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically used for government monopolies on essential commodities like salt, iron, and tea in imperial China.
  • The character appears in economic policy discussions throughout Chinese history, particularly during the Han and Tang dynasties.
  • Represents the traditional Chinese approach to state control over key economic resources.

FAQ