杀机 (shājī): intent to kill; murderous urge

Meanings

1 intent to kill; murderous urge
2 lethal danger; deadly trap

Characters

杀

mechanism; opportunity; impulse

Examples

他眼中闪过一丝杀机。

Tā yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yì sī shājī.

A flash of murderous intent crossed his eyes.

平静的表面下暗藏杀机。

Píngjìng de biǎomiàn xià àncáng shājī.

Beneath the calm surface lurks deadly danger.

Tips

usage

杀 'kill' + 机 'mechanism / opportunity / impulse.' In wuxia and thriller contexts, the staple phrase is 暗藏杀机 / 杀机四伏 'hidden murderous intent / lethal traps everywhere.' Famous title use: 《惊涛骇浪暗藏杀机》-type drama subtitles, and the Pixar short 'Lifted' was once dubbed with 杀机 in some fan subs.