赎身 (shú shēn) — to buy back one's freedom (historically for slaves, prostitutes, or indentured servants)
Definition
Historical term: to pay to free oneself from bondage (slaves, prostitutes, indentured servants) in pre-modern China. Used in classical or historical contexts, not daily speech.
verb
to buy back one's freedom (historically for slaves, prostitutes, or indentured servants)
Examples
- 赎身。Tā yòng le shí nián cái shú shēn.It took him ten years to buy back his freedom.
- ，。Tā shú le shēn, zhōng yú kě yǐ huí jiā.She bought back her freedom and finally could go home.
- 赎身。Gǔ dài hěn duō rén bèi pò shú shēn.In ancient times many people were forced to buy back their freedom.
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