In Chinese culture, the label 罪犯 (zuìfàn) carries an immense social stigma. It's a formal declaration of wrongdoing that brings shame not just to the individual but often to their entire family. This is connected to the collectivist nature of Chinese society, where an individual's actions reflect on their family, community, and ancestors. The concept of “losing face” (丢脸, diūliǎn) is severe for a 罪犯 and their relatives. Compared to the English word “criminal,” 罪犯 is often used in a more definitive, post-conviction sense. In Western legal culture, particularly in the US, the principle of “innocent until proven guilty” is a very prominent public concept. While China's legal system also has this principle, the term 罪犯 is most precisely used for a convicted person. The media and public might refer to someone under investigation as a “criminal suspect” (犯罪嫌疑人, fànzuì xiányírén) rather than a 罪犯. Using 罪犯 implies a degree of certainty about the person's guilt.
罪犯 (zuìfàn) is a formal and official term. You will encounter it primarily in the following contexts:
It is not an informal word. You wouldn't call a friend who cheated at cards a 罪犯 (unless you were being highly dramatic and sarcastic). For general “bad guys,” you would use a word like 坏人 (huàirén).