赦 (shè) - to pardon & to remit (a punishment)

赦Tone 4

shè ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

上姝

赦 · shè

to pardon;

to remit (a punishment);

to grant amnesty

to pardonto remit (a punishment)to grant amnesty

Usage highlights

amnestygeneral pardonspecial pardonpardon decreepardon certificatepardon criminals

Synonyms

  • 免— to exempt; to remit
  • 恕— to forgive; to pardon
  • 宥— to forgive; to pardon

Antonyms

  • 罚— to punish; penalty
  • 惩— to punish; discipline
  • 罪— to blame; crime

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The emperor issued a general pardon (大赦).
  • He received amnesty for his political crimes (赦免).
  • The government granted a special pardon (特赦).
  • The criminal was pardoned by the court (被赦).

Collocations

  • amnesty(赦免)
  • general pardon(大赦)
  • special pardon(特赦)
  • pardon decree(赦令)
  • pardon certificate(赦书)
  • pardon criminals(赦罪)

Idioms

  • Ten crimes that cannot be pardoned(十恶不赦)
  • To pardon without interrogation(赦不妄下)
  • To pardon and restore to office(赦而复用)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In imperial China, emperors would issue general amnesties (大赦) to mark important occasions like ascensions to the throne or major celebrations.
  • The concept reflects Confucian values of benevolence and the ruler's mercy toward subjects.
  • The 'Ten Abominations' (十恶) were considered unpardonable crimes in traditional Chinese law.

FAQ