三牲

sānshēng

noun

Meanings

1 the three sacrificial animals (originally cow, sheep, and pig; later pig, chicken, and fish)
2 ritual offerings of three meats

Characters

sacrificial animal; livestock

Examples

HSK 7-9

祭祀时要准备三牲。

Jìsì shí yào zhǔnbèi sānshēng.

The three sacrificial animals must be prepared for the rite.

HSK 7-9

供桌上摆着三牲和水果。

Gōng zhuōshàng bǎi zhe sānshēng hé shuǐguǒ.

The offering table holds the three sacrificial meats and fruit.

Tips

culture

In ancient ritual (大三牲 / 太牢), 三牲 was ox, sheep, pig - reserved for emperors and Heaven. The folk version (小三牲 / 少牢) is pig, chicken, fish, still common in Taiwanese and southern Chinese ancestor worship today.

Stroke Order

三 sān

牲 shēng