大臣
dàchén · HSK 7
courtier
👑 大 big + 臣 minister = a big minister at court
The character 臣 originally depicted a downcast eye, symbolizing a servant looking down before their ruler. Combined with 大 (big/great), 大臣 literally means great minister — a high-ranking courtier or secretary of state.
大 — pictograph of a person with arms outstretched
大 is a pictograph showing a person standing with arms and legs spread wide. The outstretched arms suggest 'big' or 'great', extending from the literal image of a large stance to abstract meanings like important or grand. It is one of the oldest characters, found on oracle bones.