Definitions

zuì (noun) crime; guilt
zuì (noun) sin; fault; blame

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "fishing net". The current meaning, originally written , is a phonetic loan.

About

罪 consists of the net radical 罒 above and 靂 (meaning "wrong" or "violation") below, forming an image of a net capturing those who break rules or laws. Historically, a different character was originally used for "crime", but it was replaced by 罪 because its form too closely resembled the character for emperor, a taboo similarity. The meaning centers on legal and moral fault: crime, sin, guilt, offense, and the resulting punishment or suffering.

Example Sentences Hide

他承认有

Tā chéngrèn yǒu zuì.

He admits guilt.

这个名不成立。

Zhège zuìmíng bù chénglì.

This charge is not valid.

他的行非常严重。

Tā de zuìxíng fēicháng yánzhòng.

His crime is very serious.

法律会惩罚犯的人。

Fǎlǜ huì chéngfá fànzuì de rén.

The law will punish those who commit crimes.

证据足以证明他的责。

Zhèngjù zúyǐ zhèngmíng tā de zuìzé.

The evidence is sufficient to prove his responsibility for the crime.

她为自己过去的恶感到后悔。

Tā wèi zìjǐ guòqù de zuì'è gǎndào hòuhuǐ.

She regrets her past sins.

法官根据证做出了判决。

Fǎguān gēnjù zuìzhèng zuò chū le pànjué.

The judge made a verdict based on the evidence of the crime.

尽管他声称无,但所有证据都显示他有

Jǐnguǎn tā shēngchēng wú zuì, dàn suǒyǒu zhèngjù dōu xiǎnshì tā yǒu zuì.

Although he claims innocence, all evidence shows he is guilty.