Meaning
罪行 refers to a criminal act or offense, particularly one that violates the law and deserves punishment. It's a formal, somewhat legal term used to describe serious wrongdoings. The word combines 罪 (crime, guilt) with 行 (act, deed) to emphasize the action aspect of criminal behavior.
Usage
This is a formal term commonly found in legal contexts, news reports, and official documents. It's more serious and formal than casual words for 'mistake' or 'wrongdoing.' Native speakers use it when discussing crimes that have legal consequences, especially serious offenses. It often appears with verbs like 犯 (to commit), 揭露 (to expose), or 审判 (to judge).
Examples
- 01法院正在审理他的罪行。.The court is trying his crimes.
- 02这些战争罪行必须受到惩罚。.These war crimes must be punished.
Characters
Measure words
- 项一项罪行
- 桩一桩罪行
Common collocations
- 犯下罪行to commit a crime
- 严重的罪行serious crime
- 揭露罪行to expose criminal acts
- 罪行累累to have committed numerous crimes
Antonyms
Origin
罪 originally depicted a person under a net (罒), suggesting capture or entrapment for wrongdoing. 行 represents a crossroads or path, symbolizing actions or conduct. Together they form a compound emphasizing criminal actions.