偿命 (cháng mìng) — to pay with one's life; a life for a life

Definition

Examples

• 古代法律常规定杀人必须偿命。
  Gǔ dài fǎ lǜ cháng guī dìng shā rén bì xū cháng mìng.
  Ancient laws often stipulated that killing must be repaid with a life.
• 他因为杀了人，最后偿了命。
  Tā yīn wèi shā le rén, zuì hòu cháng le mìng.
  Because he killed someone, he ended up paying with his life.
• 那句“血债血偿”的意思就是要人偿命。
  Nà jù "xuè zhài xuè cháng" de yì si jiù shì yào rén cháng mìng.
  The saying 'blood debt must be repaid with blood' means a person must pay with their life.