奉

Core sense involves the physical gesture of presenting something with both hands, marking a transaction defined by vertical hierarchy.

• Upward (Offering/Serving): Presenting to a superior, deity, or ancestor; emphasizes deference and ritual posture over simple giving.
• Downward (Receiving): Receiving from a superior via the same respectful, two-handed gesture.
• Sustaining: Providing for the needs of another, particularly regarding filial piety or household maintenance.
• Administrative/Financial: In official contexts, refers to a stipend, salary, or institutional allowance (e.g., 奉祿).

• Transitive Verb: Primary usage.
• Adverbial Modifier: In compound constructions (e.g., 奉命), indicates that the subsequent action is performed "respectfully" or "in accordance with" a superior's command.

• vs. 獻 (xiàn): 獻 focuses on the gift or tribute as a discrete event; 奉 emphasizes the relationship of service and can describe an ongoing state of attendance.
• vs. 事 (shì): 事 is functional and managerial (performing tasks); 奉 is ritualistic and formal (honoring a position).
• vs. 承 (chéng): 承 typically refers to inheriting a legacy or sustaining a burden; 奉 is specifically tied to social hierarchy and respect.

Fanqie reading: 扶隴; Tang-period reading: *bhiǒng.

Because the respectful gesture is used for both offering and receiving, when the subject is subordinate, the translator must determine from context whether the object is being offered to or received from the higher authority.