謫 (zhé) - To exile & to banish

謫Tone 2

zhé ｜ 18 strokes ｜ radical:

丈志

謫 · zhé

To exile;

to banish;

to demote;

to censure;

to blame;

to reproach;

to be relegated to a lower position or place.

To exileto banishto demote

Usage highlights

To be demotedLife in exileBanished immortalTo censure and blameDemotion to a lower postExile to a remote place

Synonyms

  • 貶— to demote; to reduce in rank
  • 斥— to reprimand; to denounce
  • 責— to blame; to reproach

Antonyms

  • 陞— to promote; to advance in rank
  • 褒— to praise; to commend
  • 獎— to reward; to encourage

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The official was demoted to a remote post (被謫到邊疆).
  • Poets often wrote about their exile experiences (謫居生活).
  • He criticized the government's policies (謫評時政).
  • The immortal was banished from heaven (仙人被謫下凡).

Collocations

  • To be demoted(被謫)
  • Life in exile(謫居)
  • Banished immortal(謫仙)
  • To censure and blame(謫責)
  • Demotion to a lower post(謫官)
  • Exile to a remote place(謫戍)

Idioms

  • A banished immortal(謫仙人)
  • Demoted to a minor official position(謫宦)
  • Living in exile(謫居生活)
  • The sorrow of banishment(謫遷之悲)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In imperial China, officials who offended the emperor or lost political favor were often 'demoted' or 'exiled' to remote regions.
  • The term is strongly associated with literati-officials who wrote poetry expressing their melancholy and reflections while in exile.
  • The concept of 'banished immortals' (謫仙) refers to celestial beings punished by being sent to live in the mortal world, often used to describe exceptionally talented poets like Li Bai.

FAQ