俎 (zǔ) — (bound form) ancient sacrificial vessel; cutting board; (surname) Zu

Definition

Bound/literary term you will mostly meet in the chengyu 越俎代庖 ('step over the sacrificial board and cook for others' = overstep one's role). As a standalone bound form it names an ancient ritual chopping board; also a surname Zu.

bound form
ancient sacrificial vesselcutting board(surname) Zu
Easily confused

Examples

  • ，。
    Tā zǒng xǐ huan yuè zǔ dài páo, tì bié rén zuò jué dìng.
    He always likes to exceed his authority and make decisions for others.
  • 俎。
    zǔ Xiān sheng shì yí wèi zhù míng de lì shǐ xué jiā.
    Mr. Zu is a famous historian.
  • 俎。
    Gǔ dài jì sì shí cháng yòng zǔ dòu zuò wéi lǐ qì.
    In ancient sacrifices, ritual vessels like zu and dou were often used.

Origin

Pictograph
六书liùshū
象形xiàngxíng

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

俎 pictures a meat altar: its legs appear on the left and the vessel on the right.

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