宰 (zǎi) - To slaughter or butcher (animals) & to govern or rule

宰Tone 3

zǎi ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

悦丈

宰 · zǎi

To slaughter or butcher (animals);

to govern or rule;

a high official in ancient China;

to oppress or exploit.

To slaughter or butcher (animals)to govern or rulea high official in ancient China

Usage highlights

Prime ministerTo slaughterTo governTo butcherButcherTo oppress

Synonyms

  • 杀— To kill
  • 治— To govern
  • 管— To manage

Antonyms

  • 生— To give life; to be born
  • 救— To save
  • 民— The people (as opposed to the ruler)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The butcher slaughters livestock (宰杀牲畜).
  • He served as prime minister (宰相) in the imperial court.
  • The feudal lord governed his fiefdom (宰制封地).
  • The corrupt official exploited the people (宰割百姓).

Collocations

  • Prime minister(宰相)
  • To slaughter(宰杀)
  • To govern(宰制)
  • To butcher(屠宰)
  • Butcher(屠宰)
  • To oppress(宰割)

Idioms

  • To manipulate at will(任人宰割)
  • To act arbitrarily(宰制一切)
  • The prime minister's capacity is vast enough to pole a boat(宰相肚里能撑船)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In ancient China, '宰' originally referred to the official in charge of sacrificial ceremonies who slaughtered animals.
  • The term evolved to denote high-ranking officials who 'governed' the state, such as the prime minister (宰相).
  • The character carries connotations of both authority and violence, reflecting its dual meanings of governance and slaughter.

FAQ