犬马 quǎn mǎ — dogs and horses (humble term for one's service)

犬马
quǎn mǎ

Characters: 犬 · 马

Definitions

  1. dogs and horses (humble term for one's service)

More definitions

zdic(汉典)

  1. 狗和马。
  2. 臣子对君主的自谦之称。
  3. 指声色玩好之物。
  4. 比喻小人。
  5. 卑幼者对尊长的自谦称谓。
  6. 古代大夫生病的婉辞。

ExtDict

  1. 古时臣下对君主自比为犬马，表示愿供驱使：效～之劳。

Examples

  • 古人常愿为君效犬马之劳。

    The ancients often wished to serve their lord with the humble devotion of dogs and horses.

  • 他自谦愿为前辈效犬马之劳。

    He modestly offered to serve his senior with dog-and-horse devotion.