弒 (shì) - to murder (one's sovereign, father, or other superior) & regicide

弒Tone 4

shì ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

上姝

弒 · shì

to murder (one's sovereign, father, or other superior);

regicide;

patricide

to murder (one's sovereign, father, or other superior)regicidepatricide

Usage highlights

regicidepatricidekill one's sovereignkill one's fathercrime of regicideplot to assassinate the ruler

Synonyms

  • 杀— to kill (general term)
  • 诛— to execute (often with legal or moral justification)
  • 戮— to slaughter, massacre

Antonyms

  • 忠— loyalty (especially to sovereign)
  • 孝— filial piety
  • 奉— to serve respectfully

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The minister plotted to kill the king (弑君).
  • In ancient times, killing one's father was the ultimate crime (弑父).
  • The historical records document several cases of regicide (弑君事件).
  • The prince was accused of plotting patricide (弑父之罪).

Collocations

  • regicide(弑君)
  • patricide(弑父)
  • kill one's sovereign(弑君)
  • kill one's father(弑父)
  • crime of regicide(弑君之罪)
  • plot to assassinate the ruler(弑君之谋)

Idioms

  • To kill the ruler and usurp the throne(弑君篡位)
  • The crime of killing one's father(弑父之罪)
  • To murder the sovereign and massacre the people(弑君戮民)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Confucian ethics, 弑 carries the gravest moral condemnation, as it violates the fundamental relationships of ruler-subject and father-son.
  • This character was specifically used for killing superiors, distinguishing it from ordinary murder (杀).
  • Historical records often use 弒 to emphasize the moral transgression in political assassinations within royal families.

FAQ