Meaning:

official under a feudal ruler

Origin:

本义是“奴隶”。他们在主人面前往往不敢抬头，而当人低下头的时候，眼睛看起来成了竖立的样子。古人就用眼睛的这个状态造了“臣”字。

The character’s original meaning is “slave.” Slaves dared not raise their heads in front of their masters, and their eyes pointed straight ahead when they lowered their heads. Thus, ancient writers created “臣” to resemble their eyes.

Words:

   臣服 (chénfú): to submit oneself to the rule of; to acknowledge one’s allegiance to

   奸臣 (jiānchén): treacherous court official; court traitor

   臣妾 (chénqiè): female servant

   大臣 (dàchén): minister (of a monarchy)

Examples:

1. 很多国家都臣服于这个强大帝国的统治下。

    Hěnduō guójiā dōu chénfú yú zhège qiángdà dìguó de tǒngzhì xià

    Many countries submitted themselves to the rule of this powerful empire.

2. 秦桧是中国历史上著名的奸臣之一。

    Qínhuì shì ZhōngGuó lìshǐ shàng zhùmíng de jiānchén zhī yī

    Qin Hui is one of the notorious court traitors in Chinese history.