誅 (zhū) - to execute & to put to death

誅Tone 1

zhū ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

志

誅 · zhū

to execute;

to put to death;

to punish;

to eliminate;

to condemn.

to executeto put to deathto punish

Usage highlights

to execute a criminalto punish treacheryto condemn and attackto eliminate evilto punish one to warn a hundredto destroy the entire family

Synonyms

  • 杀— to kill
  • 戮— to slaughter
  • 斩— to behead
  • 除— to eliminate

Antonyms

  • 赦— to pardon
  • 免— to exempt
  • 奖— to reward

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The tyrant was executed for his crimes (诛杀暴君).
  • He was punished for his treachery (诛戮叛徒).
  • The court condemned the corrupt official (诛讨贪官).
  • The goal is to eliminate evil (诛除邪恶).

Collocations

  • to execute a criminal(诛杀罪犯)
  • to punish treachery(诛戮叛逆)
  • to condemn and attack(诛讨)
  • to eliminate evil(诛除邪恶)
  • to punish one to warn a hundred(诛一警百)
  • to destroy the entire family(诛灭九族)

Idioms

  • Heaven's destruction and earth's extermination(天诛地灭)
  • Punish one to warn a hundred(诛一警百)
  • The crime merits execution(罪不容诛)
  • Kill without leaving any trace(诛戮无遗)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically used in legal and punitive contexts, often for severe capital punishment decreed by rulers.
  • Appears in classical texts and historical records concerning justice, rebellion, and the elimination of threats.
  • The concept of '天诛' (Heaven's punishment) reflects the belief in divine retribution for immoral acts.

FAQ