Definitions
(noun)
12th lunar month; preserved (meat, fish)
(noun)
dried meat
Etymology
A sacrifice of meat ⺼ for the past year 昔
About
The character "腊" traces its origins to the traditional form "臘", which combines the meat radical "月" with the phonetic component "巤", reflecting its early association with year-end sacrificial ceremonies that involved offering cured meats. This ritual context provided the basis for its dual meanings, referring both to the twelfth lunar month when such rites were performed and to the preserved meats themselves. Over time, the character's emphasis shifted from the ceremonial act to the tangible product of cured meat, a transition mirrored in the simplified form "腊", where the component "巤" is replaced by "昔", meaning "past" or "former", an element that subtly underscores the preservation process central to its meaning. Thus, while the lunar month connection persists culturally, the character's primary modern usage centers on the concept of cured foods, illustrating a gradual specialization from a broad ritual term to a specific culinary reference.
Example Sentences Hide
我喜欢吃腊肉。
腊月天气很冷。
妈妈做了腊味香肠。
腊八节那天我们喝腊八粥。
在腊月里，人们准备过年。
这种腊肉来自湖南，非常有名。
腊月的寒风刺骨，但节日气氛温暖人心。
尽管腊月工作繁忙，他仍抽时间制作腊肉。