斮 (cuò) - To chop & to cut off

斮Tone 4

cuò ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

斮 · cuò

To chop;

to cut off;

to sever;

to execute by beheading.

To chopto cut offto sever

Usage highlights

beheadpunishment of beheadingchopping blocksever limbsaxe for execution

Synonyms

  • 斩— to behead; to chop
  • 砍— to chop; to cut
  • 断— to sever; to break

Antonyms

  • 生— life; to live
  • 救— to save; to rescue

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The executioner chopped off the criminal's head (斮首).
  • The punishment was severe beheading (斮刑).
  • He was sentenced to beheading (被处以斮刑).

Collocations

  • behead(斮首)
  • punishment of beheading(斮刑)
  • chopping block(斮板)
  • sever limbs(斮肢)
  • axe for execution(斮斧)

Idioms

  • Sever the head and display it(斮首示众)
  • Punish by chopping at the waist(斧钺之斮)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Appears in classical Chinese texts describing ancient punishments.
  • Reflects harsh penal practices in pre-modern Chinese legal systems.
  • The character structure shows an axe (斤) over a kneeling figure, representing execution.

FAQ