刽子手

劊子手

guìzishǒu

noun #12,951

Measure Word

一个刽子手 gè

Meanings

1 executioner
2 headsman
3 butcher (figurative)

Characters

to behead; to execute

suffix (person)

hand; one who does

Examples

HSK 3

他被人们称为刽子手。

Tā bèi rénmen chēngwéi guìzishǒu.

He was called a butcher by the people.

Tips

history

In imperial China, the executioner (刽子手) was a professional role. Despite being employed by the state, executioners were socially stigmatized and considered unlucky.

Stroke Order

刽 guì

子 zǐ

手 shǒu