Japanese Conversation · Level 101
60 words
Japanese word
死刑
Pronunciation
Romajishikei
Meaning
- noundeath penalty
Example
その国では死刑が認められています。so no kuni de wa shi kei ga mito me ra re te i ma su
The death penalty is allowed in that country.
More examples
裁判所は被告に死刑を言い渡しました。sai ban sho wa hi koku ni shi kei o i i wata shi ma shi ta
The court sentenced the defendant to death.
Core concept
It names a legal punishment in which the state ends a convicted person's life for a serious crime.
Common phrases
死刑を執行するshi kei o shik kō su ru
carry out the death penalty
死刑を廃止するshi kei o hai shi su ru
abolish the death penalty
死刑判決を受けるshi kei han ketsu o u ke ru
receive a death sentence
Similar words
極刑kyokkei: The most severe legal punishment, involving the death of a person convicted of a serious crime.
Definition in Japanese
重大な犯罪を犯した者に対して、国家が生命を奪う刑罰。jū dai na han zai o oka shi ta mono ni tai shi te kok ka ga sei mei o uba u kei batsu
Word origin
In the compound 死刑 (shikei), 死 (shi, "death") is joined with 刑 (kei, "punishment") to denote the death penalty.
Usage tips
- In news reports, the death penalty often appears with verbs such as retain, abolish, suspend, or reinstate.