刑法
xíng fǎ · HSK 7
law
⚖️ 刑法 = 刑 punishment + 法 law = the law of punishment, i.e. criminal law
刑 means penalty or punishment and 法 means law or rule. Together they name the body of law that defines crimes and their punishments: criminal law.
法 — water 氵 + go 去
Originally written 灋, combining the water radical 氵 (suggesting a level standard, like water finding its level), the mythical beast 廌 (which judged guilt), and 去 (to remove or banish). The 廌 was later dropped, leaving 法. The core meaning evolved from 'law' or 'standard' to also include 'method' and 'way of doing'.