刑

• Reading: けい
• Romaji: kei
• Kanji breakdown: 刑 (kei) — penalty, punishment, sentence
• Pronunciation: /keː/

Meaning

Penalty; sentence; punishment. A legal punishment determined by a court.

A noun and suffix used in legal contexts for criminal penalties. Common compounds include 死刑 (death penalty), 懲役刑 (prison sentence), 禁固刑 (imprisonment), and 刑務所 (prison). As a suffix, it specifies the type of punishment imposed.

Examples

1. 裁判官が被告に重い刑を言い渡した。 The judge handed down a heavy sentence to the defendant.
2. この国では死刑が廃止されている。 The death penalty has been abolished in this country.
3. 刑が軽すぎるという声もある。 Some say the sentence was too light.

Usage Guide

Context: law, news, court

Tone: serious

Origin & History

The kanji 刑 combines 开 (a frame or mold) with 刂 (knife radical), suggesting the idea of cutting or shaping punishment to fit the crime.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal