- 清水衙门 qīngshuǐyámen poor institution(metaphor) an organization or government office with very little funding, low benefits, or no opportunities for corruption; originally used for imperial offices that offered no chance for financial gain
- 总理各国事务衙门 zǒnglǐgèguóshìwùyámen Zongli YamenOffice for the general administration of affairs of all nations, the government body in charge of foreign policy in imperial China during the late Qing dynasty, established in 1861.
- 总理衙门 zǒnglǐyámen Zongli YamenHistorical name for the ministry of foreign affairs during the late Qing dynasty.
- 步军统领衙门 bùjūntǒnglǐyámen Infantry Division headquartersheadquarters or office of the Gendarmerie in Beijing during the Qing Dynasty, responsible for city security and law enforcement
- 铁打的衙门,流水的官 tiědǎdeyámenliúshuǐdeguān officials come and goLiterally "the government office is made of iron, while the officials flow through like water"; used to describe how institutions remain stable while their staff and leadership are constantly changing.