陛 (bì) - The steps leading up to a throne & the imperial throne or court
陛 · bì
The steps leading up to a throne;
the imperial throne or court;
used in reference to the emperor.
The steps leading up to a thronethe imperial throne or courtused in reference to the emperor.
Usage highlights
Your Majestypalace stepsascend the stepsguard the stepspresent to the throneimperial audience
Usage & contexts
Examples
- The minister ascended the palace steps (陛).
- He presented a memorial to the throne (陛下).
- The imperial guard stood by the steps (陛).
- An audience with the emperor (陛见).
Collocations
- Your Majesty(陛下)
- palace steps(陛阶)
- ascend the steps(升陛)
- guard the steps(守陛)
- present to the throne(上陛)
- imperial audience(陛见)
Idioms
- At the foot of the steps (陛下) - term of address for the emperor
Cultural background
FAQ- Originally referred to the physical steps leading to the imperial throne.
- By metonymy, came to refer to the emperor himself, especially in the honorific term 陛下.
- Reflects the hierarchical nature of imperial Chinese court protocol.