斬 (zhǎn) - To behead, to chop, to cut off, to & to sever, to eliminate.

斬Tone 3

zhǎn ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

悦丈

斬 · zhǎn

To behead, to chop, to cut off, to execute by decapitation;

to sever, to eliminate.

To behead, to chop, to cut off, toto sever, to eliminate.

Usage highlights

BeheadChop downExecuteEliminate obstaclesCut off retreatChop with a knife

Synonyms

  • 砍— to chop, to hack
  • 杀— to kill
  • 断— to sever, to break

Antonyms

  • 救— to save, to rescue
  • 生— to give life, to be born
  • 赦— to pardon, to forgive

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The executioner beheaded the criminal (斩首).
  • He chopped down the tree with an axe (斩树).
  • The general vowed to eliminate the enemy (斩敌).
  • They decided to cut off all ties (斩断关系).

Collocations

  • Behead(斩首)
  • Chop down(斩断)
  • Execute(斩决)
  • Eliminate obstacles(斩除障碍)
  • Cut off retreat(斩断退路)
  • Chop with a knife(斩切)

Idioms

  • Decisive and resolute(斩钉截铁)
  • Eliminate the weeds and uproot the roots(斩草除根)
  • First show authority by beheading(先斩后奏)
  • Cut through thorns and thistles(披荆斩棘)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically associated with capital punishment and military executions in imperial China.
  • Appears in many historical novels and dramas depicting justice, punishment, or military campaigns.
  • The character embodies concepts of finality, decisiveness, and irreversible action.

FAQ