Meaning
死刑 refers to the legal punishment of execution administered by the state. It is the most severe form of criminal penalty in legal systems that retain capital punishment. The term is used in legal, political, and social contexts when discussing criminal justice policy.
Usage
This is a formal legal and political term. It appears in news reports, legal documents, human rights discussions, and debates about criminal justice. Common contexts include abolition debates (废除死刑), execution methods, and sentencing decisions. Native speakers typically use this in serious, formal discourse rather than casual conversation.
Examples
- 01法院判处凶手死刑。.The court sentenced the murderer to death.
- 02许多国家已经废除了死刑。.Many countries have already abolished the death penalty.
Characters
Common collocations
- 判处死刑to sentence to death
- 废除死刑to abolish the death penalty
- 执行死刑to carry out the death penalty
- 死刑犯death row inmate
Antonyms
Origin
The compound combines 死 (death) and 刑 (punishment/penalty), literally meaning 'death punishment.' This legal terminology has been used in Chinese jurisprudence for centuries.