杀鸡儆猴 shā jī jǐng hóu

fig. to punish an individual as an example to others

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. fig. to punish an individual as an example to others
  2. 2. lit. killing the chicken to warn the monkey (idiom)
  3. 3. pour encourager les autres

Characters

Character Meaning
杀 shā HSK 5
to kill; to attack; to weaken or reduce
鸡 jī HSK 2
chicken; fowl; (slang) prostitute
儆 jǐng
to warn; to admonish
猴 hóu HSK 5
monkey