閹 (yān) - To castrate & to emasculate
閹 · yān
To castrate;
to emasculate;
a eunuch;
to deprive of vitality or spirit.
To castrateto emasculatea eunuch
Usage highlights
CastrateEunuchPalace eunuchCastrated roosterCastrated pigTo neuter
Usage & contexts
Examples
- The emperor's court had many eunuchs (太监).
- In ancient China, some men were castrated (被閹割) to serve in the palace.
- The term 'eunuch' (宦官) often refers to castrated officials.
- Metaphorically, it can mean to deprive something of its essential character (閹割版本).
Collocations
- Castrate(閹割)
- Eunuch(宦官)
- Palace eunuch(太監)
- Castrated rooster(閹雞)
- Castrated pig(閹豬)
- To neuter(閹掉)
Idioms
- Castrated rooster(閹雞)
- Castrated pig(閹豬)
- Eunuch's voice(宦官嗓)
Cultural background
FAQ- Historically, eunuchs were castrated men who served in imperial Chinese palaces, often wielding significant political influence.
- The practice of castration was used to create a class of servants who could not produce heirs and were thus considered less of a threat to the ruling family.
- Eunuchs played complex roles in Chinese court politics, sometimes amassing great power and wealth despite their low social status.