Meaning
刑罚 refers to legal punishment imposed by the state or judicial system for criminal offenses. It encompasses all forms of criminal penalties, from fines and community service to imprisonment and capital punishment. This is a formal, legal term used in law, courts, and official contexts.
Usage
刑罚 is primarily used in legal, judicial, and formal written contexts. Native speakers use it when discussing the legal system, criminal justice, or sentencing. In everyday conversation, people might use simpler terms like 惩罚 (chéng fá) for general punishment. 刑罚 specifically emphasizes state-sanctioned legal consequences for crimes.
Examples
- 01法院对罪犯执行了相应的刑罚。.The court imposed the appropriate punishment on the criminal.
- 02根据犯罪情节的轻重，刑罚也会有所不同。, .According to the severity of the crime, the punishment will also differ.
Characters
Measure words
- 种一种刑罚
- 项两项刑罚
Common collocations
- 刑罚制度penal system
- 减轻刑罚to reduce punishment
- 免除刑罚to exempt from punishment
- 执行刑罚to carry out punishment
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters relate to punishment. 刑 originally depicted a knife (刂) used for corporal punishment in ancient China. 罚 combines 网 (net) and 言 (speech), suggesting capturing wrongdoers through judgement.