xíngshì: 刑事 - Criminal, Penal

Keywords: 刑事, xingshi, Chinese law, criminal case, criminal law, penal code, legal Chinese, 刑事案件, 刑事责任, what does xingshi mean, criminal vs civil in Chinese

Summary: 刑事 (xíngshì) is a fundamental legal term in Chinese meaning “criminal” or “penal.” It is used to classify matters related to crime and its punishment, distinguishing them from civil disputes (民事). This page breaks down the characters of 刑事, explores its usage in key phrases like “criminal case” (刑事案件) and “criminal liability” (刑事责任), and provides practical examples to help learners understand the basics of the Chinese legal vocabulary.

Pinyin (with tone marks): xíngshì

Part of Speech: Adjective, Noun

HSK Level: HSK 6

Concise Definition: Pertaining to crime or its punishment; criminal.

In a Nutshell: “刑事 (xíngshì)” is the official label for anything related to the world of crime in a legal sense. If an act is serious enough to be considered a crime against the state or society (like theft, assault, or murder), it falls under the “刑事” category. It is the direct opposite of “民事” (mínshì), which deals with “civil” disputes between individuals, like contract disagreements or divorce.

刑 (xíng): This character's ancient form depicted a person being punished or restrained. Its core meaning is “punishment,” “penalty,” or “sentence.” It immediately brings a sense of severity and legal consequence.

事 (shì): This character means “matter,” “affair,” “incident,” or “business.” It's an extremely common character that refers to any kind of event or situation.

By combining “punishment” (刑) and “matter” (事), the term 刑事 (xíngshì) literally translates to “punishment matters” or “penal affairs.” This logically and precisely describes the entire domain of legal issues that involve punishment by the state.

In modern China, the legal system, and particularly criminal law, is viewed as a primary tool for maintaining social order and stability. The term 刑事 carries significant weight, implying a serious transgression not just against an individual victim, but against the harmony of society and the authority of the state.

Comparison to Western Concepts: While “criminal” is a direct translation, the cultural emphasis differs slightly. In many Western legal traditions, the narrative of a criminal case strongly emphasizes the protection of individual rights against the power of the state (e.g., the presumption of innocence). In the Chinese context, while legal rights are codified, the cultural undertone of a 刑事案件 (xíngshì ànjiàn), or criminal case, often focuses more on the disruption of the collective good and the state's duty to restore order. The crime is seen as an offense against society itself.

This distinction reflects a broader cultural value placed on collective harmony over pure individualism. Therefore, facing a 刑事 charge in China is a profoundly serious matter, impacting not only the individual but also their family and social standing.

You would not use 刑事 in casual, everyday conversation. It is a specialized term with a very specific domain.

民事 (mínshì) - Civil (law). The direct counterpart to 刑事, dealing with private disputes between individuals or organizations.

犯罪 (fànzuì) - To commit a crime; a crime. The specific act that leads to a 刑事案件.

法律 (fǎlǜ) - Law. The broader category under which 刑事法律 (criminal law) is a major branch.

刑警 (xíngjǐng) - Criminal police; detective. A specific type of police officer who investigates 刑事 crimes.

法院 (fǎyuàn) - Court of law. The institution where 刑事 trials take place.

律师 (lǜshī) - Lawyer. A legal professional who may specialize in 刑事辩护 (criminal defense).

罪犯 (zuìfàn) - A convicted criminal. The person found guilty in a 刑事案件.

案件 (ànjiàn) - A (legal) case. A general term that is often specified as either 刑事案件 or 民事案件.

责任 (zérèn) - Responsibility; duty; liability. Combined with 刑事, it forms the key legal concept of “criminal liability.”

起诉 (qǐsù) - To prosecute; to sue. The formal act of bringing a 刑事 case against a suspect.