📖 Meaning
This idiom describes a situation where a person holds great actual power despite holding a low official rank or title. It highlights the discrepancy between real authority and nominal position in a bureaucratic system. Such individuals often wield influence far exceeding what their rank would suggest.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom reflects a recurring phenomenon in Chinese imperial bureaucracy, where court eunuchs, secretaries, or favored attendants—though bearing low official ranks—wielded enormous influence over state affairs. Historical examples include powerful eunuchs of the Han, Tang, and Ming dynasties whose nominal posts were humble yet whose actual power rivaled or surpassed that of senior ministers. The phrase captures the tension between formal bureaucratic hierarchy and the reality of political influence. It serves as a cautionary observation about how true authority can reside outside the official power structure.
💡 Example Usage
他虽权重秩卑，却连正三品大员也要让他三分。
Though his rank was low but his power was great, even senior third-grade officials had to defer to him.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 权重秩卑
- Pinyin: quán zhòng zhì bēi
- Literal Translation: power heavy, rank low
- Category: Power
- Characters: 4