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斩首 (zhǎn shǒu) — to behead (formal), to decapitate

Definition

A formal, written verb for 'behead' or 'decapitate,' typically used of official executions or monarchs ordering an enemy's death — not a casual word. The example 斩了首 shows it can split as a verb–object construction.

verb
to behead (formal)to decapitate

Examples

  • 斩首。
    Gǔ dài duì zuì fàn zhí xíng zhǎn shǒu.
    In ancient times, criminals were executed by beheading.
  • 。
    Nà ge fàn rén bèi zhǎn le shǒu.
    That prisoner was beheaded.
  • 斩首。
    Gǔ dài jūn zhǔ cháng jiāng dí rén zhǎn shǒu.
    Ancient monarchs often beheaded their enemies.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

斩zhǎncut off
首shǒuhead

斩 means cut off, and 首 is the head, so the action is cutting off the head.

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 斬; 斩 is its simplified writing.

  • 斤斤jīnaxe
  • 車車jūcart; vehicle

The traditional form 斬 combines 斤 (axe) and 車 (cart) to show an old punishment where carts tore apart a body, giving the sense 'to cut'; the simplified 斩 is only a shorthand.

Open 斩 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape comes from an old drawing of an animal's head, showing a long mouth and horns; the version with hair became 首.

Open 首 →
Appears in
Crime & Police

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