About
宰 is an ideogrammic compound of 宀 (roof, barracks) over 辛 (a chisel or branding knife used to mark slaves), depicting slaves under a roof. It originally meant a domestic slave or steward who managed household chores. Over time, the term was extended to high-ranking officials and prime ministers, as governing the state was likened to managing a household. Because stewards were often responsible for butchering animals for meals and sacrifices, 宰 also acquired the meaning "to slaughter livestock", which remains common today.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他宰了一只羊。
今天屠宰场很忙。
宰相必须聪明能干。
为了庆祝节日，他们宰了一头猪。
那个屠夫熟练地宰了牛。
这家店经常宰客，别去。
虽然他是宰相，但生活很简朴。
在古老仪式中，宰牲行为十分庄严。
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