Meaning and Usage
"凶手" specifically refers to a person who commits a murder or a violent crime resulting in death. It is a formal term often used in police reports, news, and legal contexts.
Common Collocations
- 凶手身份 (identity of the murderer): used when discussing who the culprit is.
- 锁定凶手 (to identify/lock down the murderer): common phrase in criminal investigations.
- 误认凶手 (mistakenly identify the murderer): used when someone is wrongly accused.
Usage Notes
"凶手" is a noun and always refers to the perpetrator of a serious violent crime, usually murder. It is not used for minor crimes or accidents. When talking about suspects or accused persons, other terms like "嫌疑人" (suspect) are more appropriate.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse "凶手" with "罪犯" (criminal) which is more general. "凶手" implies direct responsibility for a violent crime causing death, while "罪犯" can refer to any criminal.
Register and Tone
The term is neutral and formal, suitable for news, police, and legal language. It is not used in casual conversation unless discussing crime explicitly.