Definition
宰割 literally means 'to slaughter and cut up' (as in butchering livestock). Figuratively, it refers to the oppression, exploitation, or dismemberment of a country or people — a formal/literary word often used in political or historical contexts, such as describing how powerful nations carve up weaker ones.
v.
to slaughter and cut up (livestock, meat)to oppress and exploitto carve up (a country, territory, or people)
Examples
- 宰割。Zhè zhī jī yǐjīng bèi zǎi gē le.This chicken has already been slaughtered and cut up.
- ，宰割。Lìshǐ shàng, ruò guó cháng bèi qiáng guó zǎi gē.Historically, weak countries are often carved up by strong ones.
- 宰割。Zhímínzhě cánkù de zǎi gē le nà piàn tǔdì de rénmín.The colonists ruthlessly oppressed and exploited the people of that land.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.