赎 (shú) - to redeem & to ransom

赎Tone 2

shú ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

姝树

赎 · shú

to redeem;

to ransom;

to atone for;

to make up for a fault or loss.

to redeemto ransomto atone for

Usage highlights

redeemransomatone for sinredeem a pledgeredemptionredeem oneself

Synonyms

  • 赎买— to buy out; to redeem
  • 赎回— to redeem; to ransom back
  • 救赎— salvation; redemption

Antonyms

  • 当— to pawn; to mortgage (opposite action)
  • 押— to mortgage; to pawn
  • 卖— to sell (opposite of redeeming)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He redeemed his watch from the pawnshop (赎回了他的手表).
  • They paid a ransom to free the hostage (支付赎金).
  • She tried to atone for her sins (赎罪).
  • The criminal sought redemption (寻求救赎).

Collocations

  • redeem(赎回)
  • ransom(赎金)
  • atone for sin(赎罪)
  • redeem a pledge(赎当)
  • redemption(救赎)
  • redeem oneself(自赎)

Idioms

  • Redeem one's faults by meritorious service(将功赎罪)
  • No crime is too great to be atoned for(罪不可赎)
  • Redeem oneself by good deeds(立功赎罪)
  • Pay a ransom for one's life(赎身)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of redemption (赎) is important in both legal and moral contexts.
  • The character appears in Buddhist contexts referring to spiritual redemption and atonement.
  • Historically used in contexts of redeeming pawned items and paying ransoms.

FAQ