Meaning and Usage
The Korean word '살인' (salin) specifically means 'murder' or 'homicide'. It is a formal noun often used in legal, police, or crime-related contexts. When you hear '살인', it usually refers to the unlawful killing of a person.
Common Contexts
You will frequently encounter '살인' in news reports, police investigations, and crime dramas. It is often combined with words like '사건' (case), '혐의' (charge/suspicion), or '범죄' (crime).
Collocations and Patterns
- 살인 사건: murder case; used when referring to a specific crime.
- 살인 혐의: suspicion or charge of murder; used in legal contexts.
- 살인하다: to commit murder; the verb form.
Register and Politeness
'살인' is a neutral, formal noun. It is not used in casual conversation unless discussing serious topics. When talking about murder in everyday speech, people might use euphemisms or less direct expressions.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '살인' with '죽이다' (to kill). '살인' refers to the crime or act of murder itself, while '죽이다' is the verb meaning 'to kill' and can be used in broader contexts, including accidental or intentional killing.
Understanding this distinction helps in using the word appropriately in legal or serious discussions.