弑 (shì) - To murder one's sovereign, parent, or superior & regicide

弑Tone 4

shì ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

上姝

弑 · shì

To murder one's sovereign, parent, or superior;

regicide;

patricide;

a term for killing those to whom one owes the highest duty.

To murder one's sovereign, parent, or superiorregicidepatricide

Usage highlights

RegicidePatricideKilling one's motherKilling one's sovereignUsurping the throne by murderThe crime of弑

Synonyms

  • 杀— to kill (general term)
  • 诛— to put to death (often with justification)
  • 戮— to slaughter, massacre

Antonyms

  • 忠— loyalty (antithetical to弑君)
  • 孝— filial piety (antithetical to弑父)
  • 奉— to serve, honor

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The minister plotted to assassinate the king (弑君).
  • In ancient times, killing one's father was considered a grave crime (弑父).
  • The historical records document several instances of regicide (弑君事件).
  • The play depicts the tragic story of a son killing his father (弑父悲剧).

Collocations

  • Regicide(弑君)
  • Patricide(弑父)
  • Killing one's mother(弑母)
  • Killing one's sovereign(弑主)
  • Usurping the throne by murder(弑君篡位)
  • The crime of弑(弑逆)

Idioms

  • To murder the ruler and usurp the throne(弑君篡位)
  • The crime of弑父 and弑君(弑父弑君)
  • Great rebellion and regicide(大逆弑君)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Confucian ethics,弑 is one of the most heinous crimes, violating the fundamental relationships of ruler-subject and father-son.
  • Historically used in official records to condemn those who killed their superiors, carrying strong moral judgment.
  • The character itself reflects the gravity of the act, combining 'kill' (杀) with a formal/ceremonial element (式).

FAQ