偿命

償命

chángmìng

verb #23,335

Meanings

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.

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