无罪

wú zuì: 无罪 - Innocent, Not Guilty

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: wuzui, 无罪, innocent in Chinese, not guilty in Chinese, presumption of innocence, Chinese legal terms, wú zuì meaning, Chinese for innocence, prove innocence in Chinese, legal vocabulary
  • Summary: Learn the essential Chinese term 无罪 (wú zuì), which directly translates to “innocent” or “not guilty.” This page provides a comprehensive guide for beginners, covering its core meaning in legal contexts, character breakdown, and cultural significance, including its relation to the principle of “presumption of innocence” (无罪推定) in China. Discover how to use 无罪 in practical example sentences, understand its nuances compared to words like “naive,” and explore related legal vocabulary to build your fluency.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): wú zuì
  • Part of Speech: Adjective, Noun
  • HSK Level: N/A (but composed of HSK 2 character 无 and HSK 5 character 罪)
  • Concise Definition: Not guilty of a crime or offense.
  • In a Nutshell: 无罪 (wú zuì) is the formal, primary term for “innocence” in a legal sense. It is the direct opposite of 有罪 (yǒu zuì), meaning “guilty.” Think of a judge striking a gavel and declaring a defendant “not guilty”—that is the core scenario for 无罪. While it can be used metaphorically, its home is in the courtroom and discussions about justice.

Character Breakdown

  • 无 (wú): A fundamental character meaning “not have,” “without,” “nothing,” or simply “no.” It acts as a negative prefix here.
  • 罪 (zuì): This character means “crime,” “guilt,” or “sin.” The top part (罒) is a variation of the radical for “net” (网), and the bottom part (非) means “wrong” or “not.” Pictorially, it suggests being caught in a net for a wrongdoing.
  • When combined, 无罪 (wú zuì) literally means “without crime” or “no guilt,” which perfectly translates to the legal concepts of “innocent” or “not guilty.”

Cultural Context and Significance

  • In the legal sphere, 无罪 is tied to the internationally recognized principle of 无罪推定 (wúzuì tuīdìng), the “presumption of innocence.” While this principle is enshrined in modern Chinese law, its application and cultural perception can differ from the West.
  • Comparison to Western “Innocent Until Proven Guilty”: The concept is legally the same. However, historically, the Chinese legal system was more inquisitorial, and there can still be a strong societal stigma attached to being accused of a crime, regardless of the final verdict. The idea of “clearing one's name” (证明自己的清白 - zhèngmíng zìjǐ de qīngbái) is a powerful cultural concept. Therefore, a verdict of 无罪 is not just a legal outcome but a crucial step in restoring one's reputation and social standing. It represents a complete exoneration.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • Formal Legal Context: This is the most common usage. It appears in court proceedings, legal documents, news reports on trials, and academic discussions about law.
    • e.g., 法院宣判他无罪。 (Fǎyuàn xuānpàn tā wú zuì.) - The court declared him innocent.
  • Metaphorical or Informal Use: While less common, people might use 无罪 dramatically or jokingly to proclaim their innocence in a non-legal situation, like a family dispute or an argument among friends.
    • e.g., “Who ate the last piece of cake?” “It wasn't me! 我是无罪的！” (Wǒ shì wú zuì de!) - This is hyperbolic and meant to be humorous.
  • Connotation: The term is neutral and factual in its legal context. It is a highly positive and relieving outcome for the accused.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 经过长达一年的审判，法院最终判他无罪。
    • Pinyin: Jīngguò cháng dá yī nián de shěnpàn, fǎyuàn zuìzhōng pàn tā wú zuì.
    • English: After a year-long trial, the court finally found him not guilty.
    • Analysis: This is a classic example of 无罪 used in a formal legal context, reporting the outcome of a trial.
  • Example 2:
    • 他坚称自己是无罪的，并要求上诉。
    • Pinyin: Tā jiānchēng zìjǐ shì wú zuì de, bìng yāoqiú shàngsù.
    • English: He insisted that he was innocent and demanded an appeal.
    • Analysis: Here, 无罪 is used to state a belief or a plea. The particle 的 (de) turns it into a descriptive attribute.
  • Example 3:
    • 证据不足，被告被无罪释放。
    • Pinyin: Zhèngjù bùzú, bèigào bèi wú zuì shìfàng.
    • English: Due to insufficient evidence, the defendant was acquitted and released.
    • Analysis: 无罪释放 (wú zuì shìfàng) is a common set phrase meaning “to acquit and release” or “to release without charge.”
  • Example 4:
    • 你有权保持沉默，直到证明你无罪。
    • Pinyin: Nǐ yǒu quán bǎochí chénmò, zhídào zhèngmíng nǐ wú zuì.
    • English: You have the right to remain silent until you are proven innocent.
    • Analysis: This sentence reflects a common legal principle. Note that this phrasing is slightly different from “innocent until proven guilty.”
  • Example 5:
    • 在这次争吵中，没有人是完全无罪的。
    • Pinyin: Zài zhè cì zhēngchǎo zhōng, méiyǒu rén shì wánquán wú zuì de.
    • English: In this argument, no one is completely innocent.
    • Analysis: This is a great example of the metaphorical use of 无罪. It extends the concept of “guilt” to moral responsibility in a conflict.
  • Example 6:
    • 他的律师正在努力收集能证明他无罪的证据。
    • Pinyin: Tā de lǜshī zhèngzài nǔlì shōují néng zhèngmíng tā wú zuì de zhèngjù.
    • English: His lawyer is working hard to collect evidence that can prove his innocence.
    • Analysis: This shows how 无罪 functions as a noun (innocence) in the phrase “prove his innocence.”
  • Example 7:
    • 无罪推定是现代法律的重要原则。
    • Pinyin: Wúzuì tuīdìng shì xiàndài fǎlǜ de zhòngyào yuánzé.
    • English: The presumption of innocence is an important principle of modern law.
    • Analysis: This introduces the key legal term 无罪推定 (wúzuì tuīdìng), where 无罪 acts as the core concept.
  • Example 8:
    • 他被错误地关了十年，最终获得了无罪判决。
    • Pinyin: Tā bèi cuòwù de guānle shí nián, zuìzhōng huòdéle wú zuì pànjué.
    • English: He was wrongly imprisoned for ten years and finally received a not-guilty verdict.
    • Analysis: 无罪判决 (wú zuì pànjué) is a set phrase for a “not-guilty verdict” or “acquittal.”
  • Example 9:
    • 看到法官宣布他无罪的那一刻，他的家人都哭了。
    • Pinyin: Kàn dào fǎguān xuānbù tā wú zuì de nà yīkè, tā de jiārén dōu kūle.
    • English: The moment they saw the judge declare him innocent, his family members all cried.
    • Analysis: This sentence captures the emotional weight and relief associated with a 无罪 verdict.
  • Example 10:
    • 新闻报道了这起无罪案件的始末。
    • Pinyin: Xīnwén bàodàole zhè qǐ wú zuì ànjiàn de shǐmò.
    • English: The news reported on the full story of this acquittal case.
    • Analysis: 无罪 can be used as an adjective to modify nouns like 案件 (ànjiàn - case), as in an “innocence case” or “acquittal case.”

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • “Innocent” (Not Guilty) vs. “Innocent” (Naive): This is the most critical pitfall for English speakers. 无罪 (wú zuì) exclusively refers to legal or moral innocence regarding a specific wrongdoing. It does not mean naive, childlike, or pure.
    • Correct: 法官判他无罪。 (Fǎguān pàn tā wú zuì.) - The judge found him innocent (not guilty).
    • Incorrect: 他是一个无罪的孩子。 (Tā shì yīgè wú zuì de háizi.)
    • Why it's wrong: This sentence incorrectly uses the legal term 无罪 to describe a child's personality. To say a child is innocent (naive, pure), you should use 天真 (tiānzhēn) or 单纯 (dānchún).
    • Corrected: 他是一个天真的孩子。 (Tā shì yīgè tiānzhēn de háizi.) - He is a naive/innocent child.
  • 无罪 (wú zuì) vs. 无辜 (wúgū): These are closely related but distinct.
    • 无罪 (wú zuì): Specifically means “not guilty” of a crime. It is a legal status.
    • 无辜 (wúgū): Means “innocent” in the sense of being an undeserving victim. It describes someone who is wrongly caught up in a bad situation or harmed without cause. An innocent bystander is 无辜的, not 无罪的. A person found 无罪 by a court was also 无辜 all along.

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 有罪 (yǒu zuì) - The direct antonym of 无罪, meaning “guilty.”
  • 无辜 (wúgū) - Innocent in the sense of being an undeserving victim; not at fault.
  • 清白 (qīngbái) - To be “in the clear” or innocent, often relating to one's reputation or moral character. 证明清白 (zhèngmíng qīngbái) means “to clear one's name.”
  • 犯罪 (fànzuì) - To commit a crime. The act that leads to a question of guilt or innocence.
  • 罪犯 (zuìfàn) - A criminal; a convict.
  • 冤枉 (yuānwang) - To wrongly accuse someone; to suffer an injustice. A person who is 无罪 but accused of a crime has been 冤枉ed.
  • 辩护 (biànhù) - To defend (in a legal case). A lawyer defends a client to prove they are 无罪.
  • 证据 (zhèngjù) - Evidence, which is used to prove guilt or innocence.
  • 法官 (fǎguān) - A judge, the person who declares a defendant 无罪 or 有罪.
  • 无罪推定 (wúzuì tuīdìng) - The legal principle of “presumption of innocence.”