首级

首級

shǒují

noun #26,721

Meanings

1 severed head (of an enemy)
2 enemy head (as a trophy in ancient warfare)

Characters

head; first; chief

level; grade; step

Examples

古代战争中，士兵斩敌首级以记功。

Gǔdài zhànzhēng zhōng, shìbīng zhǎn dí shǒují yǐ jì gōng.

In ancient warfare, soldiers took the severed heads of enemies to record their merit.

将军命令士兵取来敌将首级。

Jiāngjūn mìnglìng shìbīng qǔlái dí jiàng shǒují.

The general ordered the soldiers to bring the enemy commander's head.

Tips

history

首级 is an archaic military term. In ancient China, soldiers could be rewarded or promoted based on the number of enemy heads (首级) they collected in battle.

Stroke Order

首 shǒu

级 jí