About
The character 宰 is an ideogrammic compound: the radical 宀 (a roof) above 辛 (a chisel or branding knife for slaves). This structure originally meant a domestic slave, servant, or steward managing household affairs. Over time, the role expanded, so the primary meaning shifted to a high-ranking official or prime minister administering state affairs. Additionally, as early household stewards often prepared meat for meals and sacrifices, the character acquired a secondary, prominent meaning of slaughtering or butchering 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。