Zai Yu

In this Chinese name, the family name is Zai.
Zai Yu
Zai Yu in the Half-Portraits of the Great Sage and Virtuous Men of Old (至聖先賢半身像), housed in the National Palace Museum
Chinese宰予
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinZǎi Yǔ
Wade–GilesTsai Yü
Southern Min
Hokkien POJCháiⁿ Ú
Other names
Ziwo
(Courtesy name)
Chinese子我
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinZǐwǒ
Wade–GilesTzu-wo
Southern Min
Hokkien POJChú-ngó͘
Zai Wo
Chinese宰我
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinZǎi Wǒ
Wade–GilesTsai Wo
Southern Min
Hokkien POJCháiⁿ Ngó͘

Zai Yu (522–458 BC),[1] also known by his courtesy name Ziwo and as Zai Wo, was a prominent disciple of Confucius, known for his gift in speech. However, Confucius severely criticized him for proposing to shorten the three-year mourning period after the death of a parent.[2]

  1. ^ Taylor & Choy 2005, p. 621.
  2. ^ Confucius 1997, p. 202, Analect 17:21.