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Yamen

2 stages from Chinese to English.

Today it means historically, the office and residence of a Chinese government official or magistrate

Where does the word "yamen" come from? It comes from Chinese yámen, adopted directly into English (1800s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
yámen
Chinese · medieval
"a local government office"
named the office and residence of a local government official
2
Stage 2 of 2
yamen
English · 1800s
"the office and court of a Chinese magistrate"
borrowed by Western diplomats, traders, and travel writers describing Chinese administration
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