Meaning and Usage
"死刑" (しけい) means "death penalty" or "capital punishment." It refers to the legal punishment where a person is sentenced to death by the state for certain crimes.
Common Contexts
This term is often used in legal, political, and ethical discussions. It appears in news reports, debates about criminal justice, and human rights conversations.
Collocations and Patterns
- 死刑制度 (しけいせいど): death penalty system
- 死刑を宣告する (しけいをせんこくする): to sentence someone to death
- 死刑廃止 (しけいはいし): abolition of the death penalty
Register and Nuance
"死刑" is a formal and serious term. It is used in official, legal, and academic contexts rather than casual conversation.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "死刑" with "死体" (しだい, corpse) or "死亡" (しぼう, death). Remember that "死刑" specifically refers to the legal punishment, not death in general.