加刑 (jiā xíng) — to increase a sentence, to extend a prison term

Definition

Legal term meaning a court increases an existing criminal sentence (longer prison term, heavier penalty). Contrast with 减刑 (jiǎn xíng), which means reducing a sentence.

verb
to increase a sentenceto extend a prison term

Examples

  • 加刑。
    Fǎ guān jué dìng duì zhè ge zuì fàn jiā xíng.
    The judge decided to increase the sentence for this criminal.
  • ，加刑。
    Yīn wèi zhèng jù bù zú, fǎ yuàn méi yǒu gěi tā jiā xíng.
    Due to insufficient evidence, the court did not extend his sentence.
  • ，加刑。
    Lǜ shī tí chū shàng sù, yāo qiú jiǎn qīng ér fēi jiā xíng.
    The lawyer filed an appeal, asking for a reduction rather than an increase in the sentence.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

加jiāadd
刑xíngpunishment

加 means add and 刑 means punishment, so the sense is adding to a penalty.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

加 pairs 力 and 口. In one explanation 力 is strength and 口 is the mouth, meaning exaggeration; in another 力 is plowing effort and 口 is breath or exclamation, meaning extra effort.

Open 加 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
刀刀dāo
Sound part声符shēngfú
井
井jǐng刑xíng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

刑 puts 刀 (knife) beside 井. The knife part shows the punishment idea, and 井 gives the sound.

Open 刑 →

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