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宰 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
宰
zǎi
to slaughter livestock
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 宀, rank #3210, Very Hard
宰
zǎi
to govern or rule
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 宀, rank #3210, Very Hard
宰
zǎi
to cheat customers
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 宀, rank #3210, Very Hard
宰
zǎi
Imperial official in dynastic China
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 宀, rank #3210, Very Hard
宰
zǎi
to slaughter, to butcher; to govern, to rule
HSK 7, v, 10 strokes, radical 宀, rank #3210, Very Hard
zǎi(zai3)zai T3
1to slaughter livestock
2to govern or rule
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March 24, 2026
宰zǎi(zai3)
The character 宰 (zǎi) primarily means 'to slaughter' or 'to butcher,' especially livestock. It also conveys the idea of governance or ruling, often associated with authority figures or officials in historical contexts. In modern usage, it can imply deceit in transactions, particularly when customers are unfairly treated.
Strokes10Radical宀Frequency#3210DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In traditional Chinese society, the role of the 宰 (zǎi) was critical as an official responsible for managing resources and ensuring justice, reflecting the importance of governance and authority in maintaining order in communities.
Memory tip
Imagine a royal chef (宰) who not only prepares a feast by butchering livestock but also serves the emperor, showcasing both the act of slaughter and the authority over the kitchen. The radical 宀 (roof) suggests a place of governance, reinforcing the dual meaning of ruling and butchering.
Meanings of 宰
zǎi(zai3)
1to slaughter livestock
2to govern or rule
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 宰
宰Simplified
10Strokes
宀Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#3210Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 宰
Podcast: 宰
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AI study notes for 宰
Quick Contrast
屠 (tú) - use 宰 (zǎi) when referring to the act of slaughtering in a more authoritative or official context, while 屠 (tú) is more general and often used in a broader sense of butchering.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with the context of this word; it can carry a negative connotation when referring to cheating customers. It's more commonly used in formal discussions about governance or historical contexts rather than casual conversation. Remember the correct tone (third tone) to avoid confusion with other words.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 宰 connects to themes of authority and governance found in other advanced characters. Students should focus on its nuanced meanings in different contexts, such as leadership versus deceit, to enhance their understanding of the language's richness.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 宰 with similar-sounding characters like 在 (zài), which means 'to be' or 'to exist.' For example, saying '我在宰牛' (I am at slaughtering cows) instead of '我宰牛' (I slaughter cows) mixes up the meanings. Correct usage is crucial for clarity.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 宰
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Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 宰 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The character 宰 (zǎi) primarily means 'to slaughter' or 'to butcher,' especially livestock. It also conveys the idea of governance or ruling, often associated with authority figures or officials in historical contexts. In modern usage, it can imply deceit in transactions, particularly when customers are unfairly treated.
When to use 宰
Be cautious with the context of this word; it can carry a negative connotation when referring to cheating customers. It's more commonly used in formal discussions about governance or historical contexts rather than casual conversation. Remember the correct tone (third tone) to avoid confusion with other words.
宰 or something close to it
屠 (tú) - use 宰 (zǎi) when referring to the act of slaughtering in a more authoritative or official context, while 屠 (tú) is more general and often used in a broader sense of butchering.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 宰 with similar-sounding characters like 在 (zài), which means 'to be' or 'to exist.' For example, saying '我在宰牛' (I am at slaughtering cows) instead of '我宰牛' (I slaughter cows) mixes up the meanings. Correct usage is crucial for clarity.
Write 宰
宰
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Grammar patterns of 宰
宰 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
在甲板上,一阵欢呼喧嚷过后,屠____开始了.
On the ship's deck, after the whoops and hollers, the butchering begins.
Example sentences for 宰 (10)
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1
在甲板上,一阵欢呼喧嚷过后,屠宰开始了.
zài jiǎ bǎn shàng, yízhèn huānhū xuān rǎng guòhòu, tú zǎi kāishǐ le.
On the ship's deck, after the whoops and hollers, the butchering begins.
The bar running the harbor is waiting to fleece the tourist.
9
用执行死刑的方式,宰了所有婚礼上的人.
yòng zhíxíng sǐ xíng de fāngshì, zǎi le suǒyǒu hūnlǐ shàng de rén.
They wiped out the whole wedding party, execution - style.
10
这个外地人在当地的一家商店购物时挨宰了.
zhège wàidì rén zài dāngdì de yī jiā shāngdiàn gòuwù shí āi zǎi le.
This outsider was fleeced when he was shopping in a local shop.
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Word Family of 宰
Compounds3
滓zǐsediment, lees, dregs
縡zài
榟zǐ
Words containing this character14
宰zǎito govern or rule
主宰zhǔzǎito dominate
屠宰túzǎito slaughter
宰相zǎixiàngprime minister (in feudal China)
屠宰场túzǎichǎngabattoir屠宰場
宰杀zǎishāto slaughter宰殺
宰割zǎigēto slaughter
任人宰割rènrénzǎigēto get trampled on (idiom)
宰客zǎikèto overcharge
主宰者zhǔzǎizhěruler
宰人zǎirénto overcharge
宰牲节zǎishēngjiéEid al-Adha or Festival of the Sacrifice (Qurban), celebrated on the 10th day of the 12th month of the Islamic calendar宰牲節
杀猪宰羊shāzhūzǎiyángto kill the pigs and slaughter the sheep (idiom)殺豬宰羊
宰制zǎizhìto rule
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 宰
What does 滓 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 宰
You might encounter 宰相 (zǎi xiàng), which means 'Prime Minister' or 'Chancellor,' indicating a high-ranking official.
While 宰 often has a negative connotation when referring to cheating, it can describe authoritative governance positively in historical or literary contexts.
Focus on the tone; practice saying 'zǎi' with an emphasis on the third tone, which is a rising tone, like a question.
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