xiōngshǒu: 凶手 - Murderer, Assassin, Killer

• Keywords: xiongshou, xiōngshǒu, 凶手, murderer in Chinese, Chinese word for killer, assassin in Chinese, Chinese crime vocabulary, HSK 5
• Summary: “凶手” (xiōngshǒu) is the primary Chinese word for “murderer” or “killer.” It refers directly to the person who committed a murder. This essential vocabulary term is frequently used in news reports, legal contexts, crime dramas, and discussions about criminal justice. Understanding “凶手” is key to comprehending narratives about crime and accountability in Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xiōng shǒu
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: The person who commits a murder; a murderer, killer, or assassin.
• In a Nutshell: `凶手` is a direct, serious, and unambiguous term. It literally translates to “fierce hand” or “violent hand,” painting a vivid picture of the perpetrator of a violent crime. If someone is identified as the `凶手`, there is no doubt they are considered the one who did the killing. It's the standard word you'd hear in a police investigation, a news report about a homicide, or the climax of a mystery novel.

• 凶 (xiōng): This character means fierce, terrible, violent, or inauspicious. It originally depicted a pitfall or a trap, representing danger and bad fortune. In modern Chinese, it's associated with violence and ferocity.
• 手 (shǒu): This character simply means “hand.” In many compound words, “hand” extends to mean “the person who does something” or “the doer.” For example, 歌手 (gēshǒu) is a “song-hand,” or a singer.

The two characters combine to mean “the violent hand” or “the fierce doer”—a very direct and evocative term for the person whose hands committed a murder.

The concept of the `凶手` is central to Chinese narratives of justice and retribution, both ancient and modern. In popular culture, from classic martial arts stories to modern police procedurals (刑侦剧 - xíngzhēnjù), the entire plot often revolves around a single question: “谁是凶手?” (Shéi shì xiōngshǒu? - Who is the murderer?).

• Comparison to “Murderer”: The term `凶手` is a very close equivalent to the English “murderer” or “killer.” It carries the same weight and seriousness. However, the visual etymology of “fierce hand” gives it a slightly more visceral feel than the more legalistic Latin root of “murderer.” It focuses on the physical perpetrator of the act.
• Justice and Social Order: Identifying and punishing the `凶手` is seen as a fundamental step in restoring social order and delivering justice for the victim (受害者 - shòuhàizhě). This reflects a strong cultural value placed on accountability and the belief that evil deeds must be answered for. The search for the `凶手` is not just a plot device; it's a reflection of the societal need for closure and moral balance.

`凶手` is a common and practical word used across various levels of formality, though always in a serious context.

• In News and Legal Contexts: This is the standard, formal term used by police, lawyers, judges, and journalists when referring to the perpetrator of a homicide. You will see it in headlines and hear it in courtrooms.
• In Popular Culture (TV/Movies): Crime and mystery dramas are incredibly popular in China. The hunt for the `凶手` is a staple plotline. Characters will constantly discuss clues, suspects, and motives, all in an effort to unmask the `凶手`.
• In Everyday Conversation: People use `凶手` when discussing a real-life crime they heard about on the news or when talking about a movie or book. For example, “I can't believe he was the killer all along!”

The connotation is always strongly negative.

• Example 1:
  • 警察正在全力追捕凶手。
  • Pinyin: Jǐngchá zhèngzài quánlì zhuībǔ xiōngshǒu.
  • English: The police are using all their efforts to hunt down the murderer.
  • Analysis: A very typical sentence you would read in a news article. `追捕 (zhuībǔ)` means to pursue and arrest.
• Example 2:
  • 他发誓要找到杀害他父母的凶手。
  • Pinyin: Tā fāshì yào zhǎodào shāhài tā fùmǔ de xiōngshǒu.
  • English: He swore to find the murderer who killed his parents.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows strong personal motivation. `发誓 (fāshì)` means “to vow” or “to swear an oath.”
• Example 3:
  • 所有证据都指向同一个凶手。
  • Pinyin: Suǒyǒu zhèngjù dōu zhǐxiàng tóng yī ge xiōngshǒu.
  • English: All the evidence points to the same killer.
  • Analysis: `证据 (zhèngjù)` means “evidence,” and `指向 (zhǐxiàng)` means “to point to.” This is classic detective vocabulary.
• Example 4:
  • 在审判中，凶手对自己的罪行供认不讳。
  • Pinyin: Zài shěnpàn zhōng, xiōngshǒu duì zìjǐ de zuìxíng gòngrèn bùhuì.
  • English: During the trial, the murderer confessed to his crimes without concealment.
  • Analysis: A formal sentence used in a legal context. `供认不讳 (gòngrèn bùhuì)` is a set phrase meaning “to confess frankly.”
• Example 5:
  • “你认为真正的凶手是谁？”
  • Pinyin: “Nǐ rènwéi zhēnzhèng de xiōngshǒu shì shéi?”
  • English: “Who do you think the real murderer is?”
  • Analysis: A common question in any mystery, whether in a movie or a real discussion. `真正 (zhēnzhèng)` means “real” or “true.”
• Example 6:
  • 邻居们都不敢相信，他竟然是凶手。
  • Pinyin: Línjūmen dōu bù gǎn xiāngxìn, tā jìngrán shì xiōngshǒu.
  • English: The neighbors couldn't believe that he, of all people, was the murderer.
  • Analysis: The word `竟然 (jìngrán)` expresses surprise or disbelief, perfect for a shocking revelation.
• Example 7:
  • 警方公布了凶手的画像。
  • Pinyin: Jǐngfāng gōngbùle xiōngshǒu de huàxiàng.
  • English: The police released a composite sketch of the killer.
  • Analysis: `画像 (huàxiàng)` means “portrait” or “sketch.” `公布 (gōngbù)` means to “publicly announce.”
• Example 8:
  • 这部电影的结局很意外，凶手原来是主角最好的朋友。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù diànyǐng de jiéjú hěn yìwài, xiōngshǒu yuánlái shì zhǔjué zuì hǎo de péngyǒu.
  • English: The ending of this movie was very unexpected; it turned out the killer was the protagonist's best friend.
  • Analysis: `原来 (yuánlái)` is used to indicate a sudden realization of a previously unknown truth.
• Example 9:
  • 我们必须在凶手再次作案前抓住他。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū zài xiōngshǒu zàicì zuò'àn qián zhuāzhù tā.
  • English: We must catch the killer before he strikes again.
  • Analysis: `作案 (zuò'àn)` means “to commit a crime.” `再次 (zàicì)` means “once again.”
• Example 10:
  • 匿名信揭露了二十年前那起悬案的凶手。
  • Pinyin: Nìmíng xìn jiēlùle èrshí nián qián nà qǐ xuán'àn de xiōngshǒu.
  • English: The anonymous letter revealed the murderer from that 20-year-old cold case.
  • Analysis: This sentence combines several useful terms: `匿名信 (nìmíng xìn)` - anonymous letter, and `悬案 (xuán'àn)` - a cold case or unsolved mystery.

A common point of confusion for learners is distinguishing `凶手` from similar-sounding words.

• 凶手 (xiōngshǒu) vs. 杀手 (shāshǒu): This is the most important distinction.
  • `凶手 (xiōngshǒu)` is a general murderer/killer. It refers to anyone who has committed murder, regardless of motive. It's the term police use for the unknown perpetrator of a homicide.
  • `杀手 (shāshǒu)` specifically means a professional killer, hitman, or assassin. It implies someone who kills for a living or for a specific, often political or financial, reason.
  • Incorrect: 警察正在寻找那个杀手。 (Unless they know for a fact he's a professional hitman).
  • Correct: 警察正在寻找那个凶手。 (The police are looking for the murderer.)
  • Correct: 他雇佣了一个杀手来除掉他的商业对手。(He hired a hitman to eliminate his business rival.)
• 凶手 (xiōngshǒu) vs. 罪犯 (zuìfàn):
  • `凶手 (xiōngshǒu)` is specific: a murderer.
  • `罪犯 (zuìfàn)` is general: a criminal.
  • All `凶手` are a type of `罪犯`, but not all `罪犯` are `凶手`. A thief (小偷 - xiǎotōu) or a fraudster (骗子 - piànzi) are also `罪犯`, but they are not `凶手`.

• 杀手 (shāshǒu) - Assassin, hitman. A professional or hired killer, a more specific role than `凶手`.
• 罪犯 (zuìfàn) - Criminal. The general term for anyone who has committed a crime.
• 谋杀 (móushā) - Murder (the crime itself, as a noun or verb). Example: 谋杀案 (móushā àn) - a murder case.
• 嫌疑人 (xiányírén) - Suspect. The person believed to have committed the crime, but not yet proven to be the `凶手`. Also 嫌犯 (xiánfàn).
• 受害者 (shòuhàizhě) - Victim. The person who was harmed or killed.
• 案件 (ànjiàn) - (Legal) case. Often used in compounds like 凶杀案件 (xiōngshā ànjiàn) - homicide case.
• 警察 (jǐngchá) - Police. The people responsible for investigating the crime and catching the `凶手`.
• 证据 (zhèngjù) - Evidence. The clues and facts used to identify the `凶手`.
• 动机 (dòngjī) - Motive. The reason why the `凶手` committed the crime.
• 现场 (xiànchǎng) - The scene (of the crime). As in 犯罪现场 (fànzuì xiànchǎng).