死刑

• Reading: しけい
• Romaji: shikei
• Kanji breakdown: 死 (shi) — death, die; 刑 (kei) — punishment, penalty
• Pronunciation: /ɕi.keː/

Meaning

Death penalty; capital punishment. The most severe criminal punishment, involving execution of the convicted person.

A noun referring to capital punishment. Japan is one of the few developed nations that retains the death penalty, making this term culturally significant. The method used is hanging (絞首刑, koushukei). Key collocations include 死刑判決 (shikei hanketsu, death sentence), 死刑執行 (shikei shikkou, execution of death penalty), and 死刑廃止 (shikei haishi, abolition of death penalty). The topic is a recurring subject in news and political debate.

Examples

1. 死刑制度の是非について長い議論が続いている。 A long debate continues over the pros and cons of the death penalty.
2. その犯人に死刑が宣告された。 The death penalty was handed down to the criminal.
3. 死刑を廃止すべきだという意見もある。 There are opinions that the death penalty should be abolished.

Usage Guide

Context: law, politics, ethics

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 死 (shi, death) + 刑 (kei, punishment/penalty). Literally 'death punishment' — the ultimate legal penalty taking the convicted person's life.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal