Meaning and Usage
The Korean word '형' primarily refers to a legal punishment or sentence given to a criminal. It is commonly used in legal contexts to describe the penalty imposed by a court, such as imprisonment or other forms of punishment.
Common Collocations
- 형을 받다: to receive a sentence, often used when someone is convicted and sentenced by a court.
- 형을 선고하다: to sentence someone, used when a judge announces the punishment.
- 형을 집행하다: to carry out or execute a sentence, referring to the enforcement of the punishment.
Register and Nuance
'형' in this sense is formal and mostly used in legal or official contexts. It is not used casually in everyday conversation unless discussing legal matters.
Common Confusion
Learners might confuse '형' with the informal term for 'older brother' (also '형'), which is a homonym but completely different in meaning and usage. Pay attention to context to distinguish between the two.