偿命

償命

chángmìng

verb #23,335

Meanings

HSK 7-9

杀人偿命，这是古代的法则。

Shārén chángmìng, zhè shì gǔdài de fǎzé.

A life for a life. This was the law of ancient times.

HSK 7-9

他被判处死刑，为他的罪行偿命。

Tā bèi pànchǔ sǐxíng, wèi tā de zuìxíng chángmìng.

He was sentenced to death, paying with his life for his crimes.

culture

杀人偿命，欠债还钱 ('a killer pays with his life, a debtor repays his debt') is a traditional Chinese legal proverb emphasizing proportional justice.

偿 cháng

命 mìng