official

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 吏 denotes an official carrying out administrative duties; its on-reading is り.
• Basic usage: 官吏, read かんり, means an official; 税吏, read ぜいり, means a tax official.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Scope of duties
  • 官吏 broadly refers to an administrative official, while 税吏 specifically identifies one who handles taxes.