諫 (jiàn) - To admonish & to remonstrate

諫Tone 4

jiàn ｜ 16 strokes ｜ radical:

健傑

諫 · jiàn

To admonish;

to remonstrate;

to criticize frankly (especially to a superior);

to offer corrective advice.

To admonishto remonstrateto criticize frankly (especially to a superior)

Usage highlights

To remonstrateLoyal admonitionAdmonishing officialTo admonish directlyTo remonstrate forcefullyTo admonish and persuade

Synonyms

  • 劝— to advise, persuade
  • 规— to admonish, advise
  • 诤— to criticize frankly

Antonyms

  • 谄— to flatter, fawn
  • 媚— to curry favor, flatter

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He remonstrated with the emperor about the policy (向皇帝进谏).
  • The official's duty is to admonish the ruler (谏官).
  • They offered loyal advice to the king (忠谏).
  • He risked his life to remonstrate (死谏).

Collocations

  • To remonstrate(进谏)
  • Loyal admonition(忠谏)
  • Admonishing official(谏官)
  • To admonish directly(直谏)
  • To remonstrate forcefully(强谏)
  • To admonish and persuade(谏劝)

Idioms

  • To offer loyal advice regardless of personal risk(犯颜直谏)
  • Admonish with death-defying loyalty(死谏之忠)
  • Loyal ministers risk death to remonstrate(忠臣死谏)
  • To offer advice repeatedly(三谏之义)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In imperial China, 'jian' was a Confucian virtue of loyal ministers who dared to criticize the ruler for the good of the state.
  • Historical figures known for 'jian' were often celebrated for their courage, though sometimes punished severely.
  • The concept reflects the Confucian ideal of reciprocal responsibility between ruler and minister.

FAQ