Meaning
治罪 is a formal legal term meaning to punish someone for a crime or to bring criminal charges against someone. The word combines 治 (to govern, manage, control) with 罪 (crime, guilt), literally meaning 'to handle/deal with a crime.' It's primarily used in legal, governmental, or formal written contexts.
Usage
This is a formal, literary term typically found in legal documents, official announcements, historical texts, or news reports about criminal proceedings. Native speakers rarely use it in everyday conversation, preferring simpler terms like 惩罚 (chéngfá) or 处罚 (chǔfá). When used, it often appears in the pattern '依法治罪' (to punish according to law).
Examples
- 01法院将依法对这些罪犯治罪。.The court will prosecute these criminals according to law.
- 02古代皇帝有权对任何人治罪。.In ancient times, emperors had the power to punish anyone.
Characters
Common collocations
- 依法治罪to punish according to law
- 从严治罪to punish severely/strictly
- 治罪条例criminal ordinance/regulation
Antonyms
Origin
治 originally meant to manage water or govern, while 罪 depicted a net (罒) catching someone (非), symbolizing capturing criminals. Together, 治罪 has been used since classical Chinese to mean administering punishment for crimes.