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犯罪 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
犯罪fànzuìto commit a crimeHSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #895, Very Hard
犯罪fànzuìcrimeHSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #895, Very Hard
犯罪fànzuìoffenseHSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #895, Very Hard
fànzuì(fan4zui4)fan zui T4
  1. 1to commit a crime
  2. 2crime
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March 24, 2026

犯罪fànzuì(fan4zui4)

犯罪 (fànzuì) refers to the act of committing a crime or offense. It encompasses both the action of breaking the law and the broader concept of criminal acts, often used in legal contexts as well as in everyday discussions about morality and ethics.

Strokes18Frequency#895DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In China, discussions about 犯罪 often relate to the country's strict legal codes and the cultural emphasis on maintaining social harmony, where crime is viewed not just as a legal issue but also as a moral failing.

Memory Tip

Think of 犯 (fàn) as 'to commit' and 罪 (zuì) as 'sin' or 'crime'. Visualize a person committing a crime and feeling the weight of their sins, represented by the character 罪, which has a 'mouth' (口) suggesting speaking or confessing wrongdoing.

Meanings of 犯罪

fànzuì(fan4zui4)
1to commit a crime
2crime
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About 犯罪

犯罪Simplified
18Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 犯罪

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Podcast: 犯罪

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AI Study Notes for 犯罪

Quick Contrast

违法 (wéifǎ): use 犯罪 when referring to the act of committing a crime, while 违法 emphasizes the violation of laws without necessarily implying a criminal offense.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the context when using 犯罪, as it is generally used in serious discussions about legal matters or moral offenses. It’s often paired with words like '法律' (law) or '行为' (behavior). Avoid using it in overly casual contexts.

HSK Study Tips

Although 犯罪 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it is useful for learners at HSK 4 and above due to its relevance in discussions about law and ethics. Focus on understanding its components and how they relate to other words about law and morality.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 犯罪 with 违法 (wéifǎ), which means 'to violate a law' but doesn't necessarily imply a crime. A common mistake is saying '他违法了罪' (tā wéifǎle zuì), which is incorrect; it should be '他犯了罪'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 犯罪

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Component Characters

犯fànto violate
HSK 65 strokes犭
View full entry
罪zuìguilt
HSK 613 strokes罒
View full entry

How to say to commit a crime in Chinese

“to commit a crime” in Chinese is犯罪fànzuì

犯罪 (fànzuì) refers to the act of committing a crime or offense. It encompasses both the action of breaking the law and the broader concept of criminal acts, often used in legal contexts as well as in everyday discussions about morality and ethics.

When to use 犯罪

Be mindful of the context when using 犯罪, as it is generally used in serious discussions about legal matters or moral offenses. It’s often paired with words like '法律' (law) or '行为' (behavior). Avoid using it in overly casual contexts.

犯罪 or something close to it

违法 (wéifǎ): use 犯罪 when referring to the act of committing a crime, while 违法 emphasizes the violation of laws without necessarily implying a criminal offense.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 犯罪 with 违法 (wéifǎ), which means 'to violate a law' but doesn't necessarily imply a crime. A common mistake is saying '他违法了罪' (tā wéifǎle zuì), which is incorrect; it should be '他犯了罪'.

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犯
罪

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Cultural Notes for 犯罪

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, discussions about crime often focus on individual rights and justice, while in China, there is a stronger emphasis on community impact and social order.

Frequently Asked Questions about 犯罪

You can say: '他犯了罪' (tā fànle zuì), meaning 'He committed a crime.'

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