诏 (zhào) - To proclaim & to decree
诏 · zhào
To proclaim;
to decree;
an imperial edict;
to instruct.
To proclaimto decreean imperial edict
Usage highlights
Imperial edictTo issue an edictTo summonTo proclaim to the worldEdict of abdicationSecret edict
Usage & contexts
Examples
- The emperor issued an imperial edict (下诏).
- He was summoned to the palace (被诏入宫).
- This is a proclamation to the world (诏告天下).
Collocations
- Imperial edict(诏书)
- To issue an edict(下诏)
- To summon(诏见)
- To proclaim to the world(诏告天下)
- Edict of abdication(退位诏书)
- Secret edict(密诏)
Idioms
- Issuing edicts and bestowing titles(诏敕封赏)
- The emperor's personal edict(手诏)
- Proclaiming virtue through edicts(诏德宣威)
Cultural background
FAQ- Historically used for imperial decrees in ancient China, carrying the emperor's authority.
- The character combines speech (讠) and summon/invoke (召), reflecting its function of spoken proclamation.