xiányírén: 嫌疑人 - Suspect, Criminal Suspect

• Keywords: xiányírén, 嫌疑人, criminal suspect in Chinese, suspect, Chinese legal term, define xianyiren, how to say suspect in Chinese, 嫌疑人 vs 犯人, police, investigation, crime
• Summary: Learn about 嫌疑人 (xiányírén), the official Chinese term for a “criminal suspect.” This page breaks down its meaning, cultural significance in the Chinese legal system, and practical usage in news and formal contexts. Discover the critical difference between a 嫌疑人 (xiányírén), a suspect who is still under investigation, and a 犯人 (fànrén), a convicted criminal, to avoid common mistakes and understand Chinese news and legal discussions accurately.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xiányírén
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: A person suspected of being involved in a crime; a criminal suspect.
• In a Nutshell: 嫌疑人 (xiányírén) is a formal, neutral term used in legal and media contexts. It refers to an individual whom the police or authorities are investigating for a crime, but who has not yet been proven guilty. Think of it as the official label for “the person of interest” or “the suspect” in a police investigation you read about in the news. It is not used for casual, everyday suspicion.

• 嫌 (xián): This character means “to suspect” or “to dislike.” It carries a sense of doubt and negative association.
• 疑 (yí): This character means “to doubt” or “suspicion.” It is the core of words related to uncertainty and questioning.
• 人 (rén): This character simply means “person” or “people.”

The characters combine logically: 嫌疑 (xiányí) is a compound word meaning “suspicion.” Adding 人 (rén) at the end literally creates “suspicion-person,” the person who is under suspicion.

In China, as in many Western countries, the legal system operates on the principle of “innocent until proven guilty” (无罪推定, wú zuì tuīdìng). The term 嫌疑人 (xiányírén) is a direct reflection of this principle. It is the official designation for someone during the investigation phase, before they are formally charged and become a 被告 (bèigào), or “defendant.” However, the cultural weight of being labeled a 嫌疑人 can be heavier in China than being called a “suspect” in some Western cultures. Due to the high-profile nature of media reports and a societal emphasis on social harmony and order, the accusation alone can lead to significant “loss of face” (丢面子) and social stigma for the individual and their family, regardless of the case's outcome. This term signals the formal start of a serious process that can have profound social and personal consequences.

You will encounter 嫌疑人 primarily in formal contexts.

• News and Media: This is the most common place you'll see or hear the term. Chinese news agencies (like Xinhua) will exclusively use 嫌疑人 when reporting on ongoing criminal investigations to maintain neutrality and legal accuracy.
• Legal Proceedings: It is the official term used in all police reports, arrest warrants, and documents from the procuratorate (检察院, jiǎncháyuàn) before a formal indictment.
• Formal Discussion: When people discuss a criminal case they saw on the news, they will use 嫌疑人 to refer to the suspect. It is considered the correct and educated term to use. It is almost never used in informal, personal situations.

• Example 1:
  • 警方已经逮捕了主要嫌疑人。
  • Pinyin: Jǐngfāng yǐjīng dàibǔ le zhǔyào xiányírén.
  • English: The police have already arrested the main suspect.
  • Analysis: A classic example of the term's use in a news or official context. `主要 (zhǔyào)` means “main” or “primary.”
• Example 2:
  • 这起盗窃案有三名嫌疑人。
  • Pinyin: Zhè qǐ dàoqiè'àn yǒu sān míng xiányírén.
  • English: There are three suspects in this theft case.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows how to quantify suspects. `名 (míng)` is a common measure word for people in formal contexts. `这起 (zhè qǐ)` is a measure word for cases or incidents.
• Example 3:
  • 目前，嫌疑人正在接受警方的审讯。
  • Pinyin: Mùqián, xiányírén zhèngzài jiēshòu jǐngfāng de shěnxùn.
  • English: Currently, the suspect is being interrogated by the police.
  • Analysis: `审讯 (shěnxùn)` means “interrogation,” a key part of the process for a 嫌疑人.
• Example 4:
  • 嫌疑人有权保持沉默。
  • Pinyin: Xiányírén yǒu quán bǎochí chénmò.
  • English: The suspect has the right to remain silent.
  • Analysis: This sentence touches upon the legal rights associated with a suspect, similar to Miranda rights in the U.S.
• Example 5:
  • 媒体公布了嫌疑人的画像。
  • Pinyin: Méitǐ gōngbù le xiányírén de huàxiàng.
  • English: The media released a sketch of the suspect.
  • Analysis: Shows how the term is used in public-facing communication (`媒体 - méitǐ` means media).
• Example 6:
  • 他是这起谋杀案的头号嫌疑人。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì zhè qǐ móushā'àn de tóuhào xiányírén.
  • English: He is the number one suspect in this murder case.
  • Analysis: `头号 (tóuhào)` is a more colloquial but common way to say “number one” or “prime” in this context.
• Example 7:
  • 由于证据不足，嫌疑人被释放了。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú zhèngjù bùzú, xiányírén bèi shìfàng le.
  • English: Due to insufficient evidence, the suspect was released.
  • Analysis: `证据不足 (zhèngjù bùzú)` means “insufficient evidence.” This sentence highlights that a 嫌疑人 is not automatically considered guilty.
• Example 8:
  • 警方正在追踪另一名嫌疑人的下落。
  • Pinyin: Jǐngfāng zhèngzài zhuīzōng lìngyī míng xiányírén de xiàluò.
  • English: The police are tracking the whereabouts of another suspect.
  • Analysis: `追踪 (zhuīzōng)` means “to track” and `下落 (xiàluò)` means “whereabouts.”
• Example 9:
  • 这位嫌疑人坚称自己是无辜的。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi xiányírén jiānchēng zìjǐ shì wúgū de.
  • English: This suspect insists that he is innocent.
  • Analysis: `坚称 (jiānchēng)` means “to insist” or “maintain,” and `无辜 (wúgū)` means “innocent.”
• Example 10:
  • 所有嫌疑人在被定罪前都被视为无罪。
  • Pinyin: Suǒyǒu xiányírén zài bèi dìngzuì qián dōu bèi shìwéi wúzuì.
  • English: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
  • Analysis: A direct explanation of the legal principle. `定罪 (dìngzuì)` means “to convict,” and `视为 (shìwéi)` means “to be regarded as.”

The most critical mistake for learners is confusing 嫌疑人 with similar-sounding concepts.

• `嫌疑人 (xiányírén)` vs. `犯人 (fànrén)`
  • `嫌疑人 (xiányírén)`: A suspect. Someone not yet convicted. The legal process is ongoing.
  • `犯人 (fànrén)`: A convicted criminal or prisoner. Someone who has been found guilty by a court.
  • Mistake: Calling a suspect a `犯人` is incorrect and implies guilt before a verdict. It's like calling someone a “criminal” when they've only been arrested.
• `嫌疑人 (xiányírén)` vs. `被告 (bèigào)`
  • `嫌疑人 (xiányírén)`: Suspect (investigation phase). The police are gathering evidence.
  • `被告 (bèigào)`: Defendant (trial phase). The person has been formally charged and is now facing trial in court.
  • The Legal Progression: 嫌疑人 (Suspect) → 被告 (Defendant) → 犯人 (Convicted Criminal)
• Do not use for casual suspicion: You would not call your roommate a 嫌疑人 for eating your leftovers. The term is too formal and has strong legal connotations. Instead, you would say something simple like:
  • `我怀疑是你吃了我的菜。(Wǒ huáiyí shì nǐ chīle wǒ de cài.)` - “I suspect you ate my food.”

• 犯罪嫌疑人 (fànzuì xiányírén) - A more formal and complete name for “criminal suspect.” Essentially a synonym.
• 犯人 (fànrén) - A convicted criminal; the stage after being found guilty.
• 被告 (bèigào) - A defendant; the stage after being formally charged and before a verdict.
• 嫌疑 (xiányí) - The root noun, meaning “suspicion.”
• 逮捕 (dàibǔ) - To arrest; the action often taken against a 嫌疑人.
• 审讯 (shěnxùn) - To interrogate; the process of questioning a 嫌疑人.
• 证据 (zhèngjù) - Evidence; what is needed to move a 嫌疑人 to the `被告` stage and convict them.
• 调查 (diàochá) - Investigation; the overall process involving a 嫌疑人.
• 警察 (jǐngchá) - Police; the authorities who investigate and handle suspects.
• 无罪推定 (wú zuì tuīdìng) - Presumption of innocence; the core legal principle that protects a 嫌疑人.