retainer

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 臣 is read しん, has 7 strokes, and relates to a retainer serving a ruler.
• Basic usage: 大臣 is read だいじん, and 家臣 is read かしん.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 大臣 and 家臣
  • 大臣 means minister.
  • 物語の大臣は国王に新しい税制を提案した。 means “The minister in the story proposed a new tax system to the king.”
  • 家臣 means retainer or vassal.
  • 城主は信頼する家臣を隣国へ使いに出した。 means “The lord sent a trusted retainer as an envoy to the neighboring country.”