kui2 zi2 sau2劊子手刽子手

Jyutpingkui2 zi2 sau2

Yalekúi jí sáu

名詞Rare

Definition

An executioner; someone whose job is to execute criminals.

neutralpeople

How it's used

Carries a strong negative connotation, often used metaphorically to describe someone who destroys something valuable or ruins a person's career or life. It is rarely used in a literal sense today since capital punishment has been abolished in Hong Kong. When used figuratively, it implies a sense of ruthlessness or cold-heartedness.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

ji5以cin4前di1啲kui2劊zi2子sau2手hou2好ci5似hou2好laang5冷hyut3血gam3咁。

Executioners in the past seemed so cold-blooded.

nei5你zi1知m4唔zi1知bin1邊go3個hai6係fu6負zaak3責cyu5處kyut3決ge3嘅kui2劊zi2子sau2手？

Do you know who the executioner in charge of the execution is?

Common phrases

laang5冷hyut3血kui2劊zi2子sau2手

cold-blooded executioner

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with a simple murderer or killer, as the term specifically implies a professional or sanctioned role of carrying out a death sentence. Using it to describe a common criminal will sound confusing to native speakers.