祭

zhài, jì

② + 冫 + 示 + 𠂊

HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

jì (verb) to offer sacrifice; to worship

jì (noun) memorial ceremony; ritual

Etymology

Depicts a hand (又) offering meat (⺼) as a sacrifice. 示 is a meaning component commonly used in spiritual-related characters.

About

The character 祭 depicts a hand (又) presenting meat (⺼, a form of 肉) on an altar, while the 示 component signals a spiritual context. The scene represents a ritual offering made to appease or honor deities and ancestors. The character's use extends to formal sacrifices, memorial ceremonies, and traditional festivals, all preserving the core image of a solemn religious rite.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们在清明节祭祖。

Wǒmen zài Qīngmíng jié jì zǔ.

We worship ancestors during Qingming Festival.

他每年都祭祀先人。

Tā měi nián dōu jìsì xiānrén.

He worships ancestors every year.

学校举行了祭孔仪式。

Xuéxiào jǔxíngle jì kǒng yíshì.

The school held a ceremony to worship Confucius.

村民们聚集在祠堂祭神。

Cūnmínmen jùjí zài cítáng jì shén.

The villagers gather at the ancestral hall to worship gods.

在纪念日，人们祭奠逝去的英雄。

Zài jìniàn rì, rénmen jìdiàn shìqù de yīngxióng.

On the memorial day, people commemorate the fallen heroes.

古代帝王经常举行盛大的祭天典礼。

Gǔdài dìwáng jīngcháng jǔxíng shèngdà de jì tiān diǎnlǐ.

Ancient emperors often held grand ceremonies to worship heaven.

祭祀活动体现了人们对自然的敬畏。

Jìsì huódòng tǐxiànle rénmen duì zìrán de jìngwèi.

Sacrificial activities reflect people's reverence for nature.

考古学家发现了远古时期的祭祀遗址。

Kǎogǔ xuéjiā fāxiànle yuǎngǔ shíqī de jìsì yízhǐ.

Archaeologists discovered sacrificial sites from ancient times.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: ②

Component: 冫

Component: 示

Component: 𠂊

Example Words