Meaning and Usage
"杀手" literally means "killer" or "assassin." It primarily refers to a person who kills others, often professionally or with intent. In everyday conversation, it can describe a criminal assassin or be used metaphorically to describe someone very effective or ruthless in a particular field, such as sports or business.
Common Collocations
- 杀手锏 (shāshǒujiǎn): a trump card or secret weapon, originally meaning a killer's weapon.
- 职业杀手 (zhíyè shāshǒu): professional assassin.
- 连环杀手 (liánhuán shāshǒu): serial killer.
Usage Notes
When used literally, "杀手" often appears in crime or thriller contexts. Metaphorically, it can describe a person who is extremely effective at something, like "比赛中的杀手" (killer in the competition). Avoid confusing it with "杀人犯" (murderer), which is more general and legalistic. "杀手" emphasizes the act of killing, often with a professional or intentional nuance.