囚犯 — meaning in English: prisoner

qiúfàn · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for prisoner

囚犯

qiúfàn

教育

jiàoyù

技术

jìshù

打击

dǎjí

岛

dǎo

Skip this question

🎓

Learn Mandarin Chinese for free

Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.

Start learning →

Already have an account? Log in

formal common

Usage

Native speakers of Mandarin often use the word 囚犯 (qiúfàn) in legal contexts, such as court proceedings or discussions about criminal justice. You might hear it in news reports about crime or during conversations regarding prison reform, highlighting its relevance in societal debates.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym is '罪犯' (zuìfàn), which means 'criminal.' While 囚犯 emphasizes the status of being imprisoned, 罪犯 focuses on the act of committing a crime. You would choose 囚犯 when discussing someone currently serving time, whereas 罪犯 is more about their past actions.

Culture

The term 囚犯 (qiúfàn) comprises two characters: '囚' meaning 'to imprison' and '犯' meaning 'to commit a crime.' This thoughtful construction reflects the serious nature of being a prisoner in Chinese society. Interestingly, discussions around prisoners often intersect with themes of justice, rehabilitation, and moral philosophy, which can be deeply rooted in traditional values.

FAQ

Q.What does the word 囚犯 mean in English?

囚犯 (qiúfàn) translates to 'prisoner' in English, referring specifically to someone who is incarcerated due to a legal sentence.

Q.How do you pronounce 囚犯?

囚犯 is pronounced as 'qiúfàn.' The first syllable 'qiú' has a rising tone, while 'fàn' has a falling tone.

Q.Are there any common mistakes with using 囚犯?

Learners often confuse 囚犯 with other terms related to crime. It's important to use 囚犯 specifically for someone who is imprisoned, rather than using it interchangeably with general terms for criminals.

Learn mandarin chinese with Maspeak →

Chinese (Mandarin) 2000