Readings: ケイ (Onyomi), (Kunyomi)
Meaning: punishment, penalty, sentence, execute
The kanji 刑 is a phono-semantic compound. It combines 幵 (a phonetic component related to balancing or cutting) and 刀 (sword/knife), indicating cutting or punishment. It originally depicted cutting off a nose as a form of punishment.
View JLPT N1 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 刑 has 7 strokes. It starts with the two strokes of 幵, followed by the three strokes of the horizontal and two verticals, and finally the two strokes of 刀 on the right side. Pay attention to the order and direction of each stroke for proper writing.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 刀 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 7 |
| JLPT Level | N1 |
| Grade | S |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ケイ (kei)
Common Words Using 刑
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 刑罰 | けいばつ | punishment, penalty |
| 死刑 | しけい | death penalty, capital punishment |
| 刑事 | けいじ | criminal case, detective |
| 刑務所 | けいむしょ | prison, penitentiary |
| 処刑 | しょけい | execution, capital punishment |
| 量刑 | りょうけい | sentencing (of a criminal) |
| 減刑 | げんけい | reduction of a sentence |
| 刑期 | けいき | term of imprisonment |
| 求刑 | きゅうけい | demand for a sentence (by prosecutor) |
| 厳刑 | げんけい | severe penalty |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 彼は殺人罪で死刑を宣告された。
Kana: かれはさつじんざいでしけいをせんこくされた。
Romaji: Kare wa satsujinzai de shikei o senkoku sareta.
English: He was sentenced to death for murder.
Japanese: 刑事ドラマは日本でも人気がある。
Kana: けいじドラマはにほんでもにんきがある。
Romaji: Keiji dorama wa Nihon demo ninki ga aru.
English: Detective dramas are popular in Japan too.
Japanese: 刑務所での生活は想像以上に厳しい。
Kana: けいむしょでのせいかつはそうぞういじょうにきびしい。
Romaji: Keimusho de no seikatsu wa sōzō ijō ni kibishii.
English: Life in prison is tougher than imagined.
Japanese: 裁判官は被告に重い刑罰を与えた。
Kana: さいばんかんはひこくに おもいけいばつをあたえた。
Romaji: Saibankan wa hikoku ni omoi keibatsu o ataeta.
English: The judge gave the defendant a heavy penalty.
Japanese: その犯罪者はついに処刑された。
Kana: そのはんざいしゃはついにしょけいされた。
Romaji: Sono hanzaisha wa tsui ni sho-kei sareta.
English: The criminal was finally executed.
Japanese: 彼の刑期は５年だ。
Kana: かれのけいきはごねんだ。
Romaji: Kare no keiki wa go-nen da.
English: His prison term is 5 years.
Japanese: 検察は彼に懲役10年を求刑した。
Kana: けんさつはかれにちょうえきじゅうねんをきゅうけいした。
Romaji: Kensatsu wa kare ni chōeki jūnen o kyūkei shita.
English: The prosecution demanded a 10-year prison sentence for him.
Japanese: 模範囚のため、彼の刑罰は減刑された。
Kana: もはんしゅうのため、かれのけいばつはげんけいされた。
Romaji: Mohanshu no tame, kare no keibatsu wa genkei sareta.
English: Due to being a model prisoner, his sentence was reduced.
Japanese: この法律には厳刑が定められている。
Kana: このほうりつにはげんけいがさだめられている。
Romaji: Kono hōritsu ni wa genkei ga sadamerarete iru.
English: This law stipulates severe penalties.
Japanese: 量刑の判断は非常に難しい。
Kana: りょうけいのはんだんはひじょうにむずかしい。
Romaji: Ryōkei no handan wa hijō ni muzukashii.
English: The judgment of sentencing is extremely difficult.
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