宰
slaughter; rule
At a glance · 宰
Evolution of the glyph
Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.
Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE
⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested：oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.
甲骨文从宀从辛，象屋下执刑刀（辛）治事，本义为罪人在屋下劳作，引申为宰割、主宰。小篆作「宰」。
What the sketch shows
Origins & notes
本义为奴隶主家内管事，引申为宰杀、主宰。
Structure
会意字，从宀从辛，表屋下执事治理。
At a glance
Pinyinzǎi
Radical宀
Strokes10
UnicodeU+5BB0
Character type会意
Theme政事
Six languages, one character
Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.
English
slaughter; rule
To slaughter; also to govern or dominate.
Français
tuer; gouverner
Tuer (bétail) ; aussi gouverner.
Español
sacrificar; gobernar
Sacrificar ; también gobernar.
العربية
يذبح؛ يحكم
يذبح؛ ويُستعار للحكم.
Русский
резать; править
Резать скот; также править.
Common words
- 宰zǎislaughter
- 宰相zǎi xiàngprime minister