About
The character 屠 is a phono-semantic compound: the component 尸 (shī, meaning corpse or physical body) provides the meaning, while 者 (zhě) provides the sound. From its earliest origins, the character denoted the physical act of slaughtering or butchering of livestock for meat consumption, directly tying the body radical to animal carcasses. Consequently, it also serves as a noun for the profession of butcher. Beyond agricultural butchery, the semantic application extended to describe the mass killing or massacre of humans, escalating the concept from processing animal meat to the brutal, large-scale destruction of human life, focusing on the rendering of bodies into a lifeless state.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
屠夫在市场上卖肉。
屠宰场每天处理很多动物。
屠户的刀非常锋利。
历史上发生过多次大屠杀。
战争期间,军队屠杀了无辜的平民。
这家公司垄断市场,犹如屠夫宰羊。
屠城事件是古代战争中最残酷的行为之一。
环保组织抗议过度屠宰野生动物。
Report an issue
Flag incorrect definitions, examples, etymology, etc.