zuì: 罪 - Sin, Crime, Guilt, Fault

Keywords: zuì, 罪, what does zui mean, Chinese for crime, Chinese for sin, Chinese for guilt, Chinese character zui, 犯罪, 有罪, 认罪, Chinese law, Chinese culture

Summary: The Chinese character 罪 (zuì) is a powerful and fundamental concept representing a serious transgression. It encompasses the legal definition of a crime, the religious or moral weight of a sin, and the personal burden of guilt or fault. Understanding 罪 (zuì) is key to grasping Chinese perspectives on law, order, and morality, as it appears in essential vocabulary like 犯罪 (fànzuì), “to commit a crime,” and 有罪 (yǒu zuì), “to be guilty.” This guide will break down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical usage for learners.

Pinyin (with tone marks): zuì

Part of Speech: Noun

HSK Level: HSK 4 (as part of words like 犯罪)

Concise Definition: A violation of law, morality, or religious principle; a crime, sin, or fault.

In a Nutshell: Think of 罪 (zuì) as the word for a serious “bad deed.” It's not for small mistakes; it carries a heavy weight. Whether it's a formal crime prosecuted by the state, a deep moral failing, or a major fault you've committed, 罪 is the word used. It implies that a significant line has been crossed and that there are, or should be, consequences.

罪 (zuì) is a powerful phono-semantic compound character that tells a story:

罒 (wǎng): The top part is a variant of 网 (wǎng), which means “net.” This radical is often associated with nets, webs, or, in this case, the “net of the law.”

非 (fēi): The bottom part means “not,” “wrong,” “error,” or “misdeed.”

The characters combine to form a vivid image: catching a wrongdoing (非) in a net (罒). This perfectly illustrates the concept of a crime or sin being identified and captured by a system of law or morality.

罪 (zuì) is deeply rooted in both the legal and moral fabric of Chinese culture, reflecting a historical emphasis on social order. The concept is heavily influenced by Legalism (法家), a school of thought that advocated for strict, clear laws and harsh punishments to control society. The character's structure itself—catching a wrong in a net—is a testament to this legalistic worldview.

When compared to Western concepts, 罪 (zuì) has important distinctions. The English word “sin” is overwhelmingly tied to the Judeo-Christian tradition of an offense against God. While 罪 can be used in a religious context in Chinese (e.g., in Buddhism or Christianity), its core meaning is more secular and social. Committing a 罪 is often seen as a transgression against the social order, the family, or the collective, leading to a loss of face and social standing.

The feeling associated with 罪 is also nuanced. While it translates to “guilt,” the internal feeling for a Chinese person might be closer to 羞耻 (xiūchǐ) - shame. Western “guilt” is often a private, internal conflict with one's own conscience. Chinese “shame” is more public and relational; it's the feeling of being disgraced in the eyes of others. Therefore, a 罪 is not just a personal moral failure, but a social one.

罪 is a common and serious word in modern Chinese, used across several key contexts.

Guilt vs. Shame: Remember that the feeling behind admitting a 罪 in Chinese culture often has a strong component of social shame (羞耻). It's not just about your internal moral compass; it's about how your actions reflect on you, your family, and your social standing.

Not a Verb: 罪 itself is a noun. To say “commit a crime,” you must use the verb-object phrase 犯罪 (fànzuì). You cannot say “我罪了 (wǒ zuì le).”

犯罪 (fànzuì) - A verb-object phrase meaning “to commit a crime.” This is the action.

罪犯 (zuìfàn) - The noun for “criminal” or “convict.” This is the person.

无罪 (wúzuì) - The direct antonym, meaning “innocent” or “not guilty.”

认罪 (rènzuì) - A verb meaning “to confess” or “to plead guilty.”

受罪 (shòuzuì) - A common colloquial term meaning “to suffer” or “to endure hardship.”

罪恶感 (zuì'ègǎn) - A noun meaning “a sense of guilt” or “guilt-ridden feeling.”

错误 (cuòwù) - A common and more formal word for “mistake” or “error.” A key term to contrast with the severity of 罪.

过错 (guòcuò) - A noun for “fault” or “transgression.” It's more serious than a simple 错误 but generally less severe than a 罪.

惩罚 (chéngfá) - To punish; a penalty. This is the consequence of a 罪.

功劳 (gōngláo) - Merit, credit, contribution. Can be seen as an antonym in the sense of doing good deeds versus committing bad ones.