About
The character 狱 is the simplified form of 獄. Traditionally, 獄 placed the speech radical 言 between two dog radicals (犭 and 犬), creating an image of two fighting dogs barking at each other, a scene that represented a legal dispute. Its original meaning was 'lawsuit' or 'legal dispute'. The simplified 狱 keeps the dog radicals but uses the simplified speech radical 讠, reducing strokes. Over time, the meaning shifted from the legal proceedings to the place where criminals are held, giving 狱 its modern meaning 'prison'.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他在监狱里工作。
生活有时像地狱一样艰难。
这个冤狱终于被平反了。
狱卒负责看守犯人。
他因受贿罪而入狱。
那名犯人企图越狱但失败了。
经过十年狱中生活，他彻底改造了自己。
那次审判避免了冤狱，维护了司法公正。
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