Meaning and Usage
"犯罪" (fànzuì) specifically refers to the act of committing a crime or breaking the law. It is a formal term often used in legal, social, and news contexts.
Common Contexts
It frequently appears in discussions about law enforcement, criminal justice, and social issues related to crime prevention.
Collocations and Patterns
- 犯罪行为 (fànzuì xíngwéi): criminal behavior
- 犯罪嫌疑人 (fànzuì xiányírén): criminal suspect
- 预防犯罪 (yùfáng fànzuì): prevent crime
These collocations are common in formal speech and writing.
Usage Notes
When using 犯罪, the focus is on the act of breaking the law rather than the person committing it, although it can imply the person as well. It is more formal than words like 做坏事 (do bad things). Avoid confusing 犯罪 with 罪 (sin or guilt) alone, as 犯罪 emphasizes the illegal act.