pay with one's life; life for a life
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesverb
to pay with one's life (for having killed someone); life for a life
formalUsed in legal and moral contexts, often implies the death penalty or the principle of retributive justice. It can be used literally or figuratively.
Shā杀
rén人
cháng偿
mìng命
，
tiān天
jīng经
dì地
yì义
。
A life for a life is a universally accepted principle.
Zài在
gǔ古
dài代
，
yán严
zhòng重
de的
shā杀
rén人
zuì罪
wǎng往
wǎng往
xū需
yào要
zuì罪
fàn犯
cháng偿
mìng命
。
In ancient times, serious murder often required the criminal to pay with his life.
Show 3 more examplesShow fewer examples
Tā他
fàn犯
xià下
rú如
cǐ此
zhòng重
zuì罪
，
nán难
dào道
bù不
gāi该
cháng偿
mìng命
ma吗
？
He committed such a heinous crime; shouldn't he pay with his life?
Zhè这
chǎng场
shì事
gù故
suī虽
rán然
bú不
shì是
gù故
yì意
de的
，
dàn但
duì对
fāng方
yāo要
qiú求
tā他
cháng偿
mìng命
。
Although the accident was not intentional, the other party demanded his life in return.
Fǎ法
lǜ律
pàn判
jué决
xiōng凶
shǒu手
bì必
xū须
cháng偿
mìng命
。
The law sentenced the murderer to death.