宰

zǎi

HSK 7

宰 — zǎi

1. to slaughter; to butcher (animals)

   他把羊宰了，准备明天卖肉。 tā bǎ yáng zǎi le zhǔnbèi míngtiān màiròu — He slaughtered the sheep, preparing to sell the meat tomorrow.

2. (coll.) to fleece; to rip off; to overcharge

   那个小店常常宰游客，东西贵得离谱。 nàge xiǎodiàn chángcháng zǎi yóukè dōngxī guì dé lípǔ — That little shop often rips off tourists; the prices are outrageously high.

3. (bound form) to govern; to rule (used in compounds)

   他被任命为一方的主宰，治理百姓。 tā bèi rènmìng wèi yīfāng de zhǔzǎi zhìlǐ bǎixìng — He was appointed ruler of a region, governing the people.

4. (bound form) a title for certain government officials in ancient China

   史书记载了几位著名的宰，他们在当地有很大影响力。 shǐshū jìzǎi le jǐwèi zhùmíng de zǎi tāmen zài dāngdì yǒu hěndà yǐngxiǎnglì — Historical records mention several famous 'zai' officials who had great influence locally.