Definition & Meaning

1.run errands for officials and employers; be a servant or a petty official

Word usage

dāng chāi

当 差

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Chinese dictionary
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1
v.datedrun errands for officials and employers; be a servant or a petty official
- tā réng rán dāng chāi lǐng quán xīn
  他仍然当差，领全薪。
  He's still active duty and collects full pay.
- tā měi nián dào běi jīng dāng chāi
  她每年到北京当差。
  She went to Beijing on business year after year.
- zhì zhě dāng chāi bù yòng jiāo dài
  智者当差，不用交代。
  Send a wise man on an errand, and say nothing to him.
2
n.datedmale servant
- wǒ shì nǐ de dāng chāi
  我是你的当差。
  I'm your slave.

Word usage

Separable word
"当" and "差" can be combined as one word, or be used separately with other elements inserted.
- 他在衙门当过三年差。
  He had been serving in Yamen (government office in feudal China) for three years.
- 他年纪太小，还当不了差。
  He is too young to work as a servant.
- 你在县衙当了多久差？
  How long have you been serving in the county yamen (government office in feudal China)?

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