官吏

• Pinyin: guān lì
• Hanzi breakdown: 官 = 宀 + 㠯 (authority); 吏 = 一 + 史 (record-keeper/functionary)

Meaning

Government official; bureaucrat. Refers to officials and functionaries in a government or administrative system, especially in historical contexts.

Primarily used in historical, literary, and formal contexts to refer to imperial or dynastic officials. In modern usage, it can carry a somewhat archaic or critical tone when describing bureaucrats. Distinguished from 官员 by its stronger historical flavour.

Examples

1. 封建时代的官吏往往通过科举考试选拔，进入仕途。 In the feudal era, officials were often selected through the imperial examination system and entered government service that way.
2. 史书记载，这位官吏廉洁奉公，深受百姓爱戴。 Historical records say this official was honest and dutiful, and deeply loved by the people.
3. 腐败的官吏中饱私囊，导致国库日渐空虚。 Corrupt officials embezzled public funds, leaving the state treasury increasingly depleted.

Usage Guide

Context: history, literature, politics

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 历代官吏的选拔制度对中国政治史产生了深远影响。(The selection systems for officials across dynasties had a profound impact on Chinese political history.)
• 这部小说生动描绘了清朝官吏的腐化堕落。(This novel vividly portrays the corruption and moral decay of Qing dynasty officials.)

Don't Say

• 他是政府官吏，负责环保工作 — in modern contexts, use 官员 or 公务员; 官吏 sounds archaic and may carry negative connotations

Origin & History

官 (official, government) + 吏 (petty official, functionary). 吏 historically referred to lower-ranking civil servants who handled administrative duties.

Cultural Context

Era: Imperial China

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated/official class