功臣 gōngchén meritorious official
meritorious official; person who renders exceptional service; hero; (figuratively) something that plays a vital role
How to remember 功臣: 功 achievement + 臣 minister = meritorious official.
Characters
How it is used
- Someone who rendered great service - a hero of a cause or effort - 开国功臣 (kāiguó gōngchén) a founding hero of the state.
- Historically a meritorious official; today figurative: 幕后功臣 the unsung hero behind the scenes.
- Honorific; can be extended to a thing that played a decisive role.