生せい殺さつ

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru'

sparing life and taking life; letting live and killing

Refers to the power or act of deciding life and death. Often used in fixed expressions like 生殺与奪の権 (the power of life and death). The cross-reference 活殺 is a related term with a similar meaning.

See also: 活殺

• 生せい殺さつ与よ奪だつの権けんを握にぎる。

  To hold the power of life and death.

• その法ほう律りつは国こく民みんの生せい殺さつを左さ右ゆうする。

  That law determines the life and death of the citizens.