“缓刑”常见的英文表达是 “suspension of sentence” 或 “probation”,具体使用可根据语境有所侧重:
suspension of sentence:更侧重于描述刑罚的暂缓执行这一法律程序,即法院对罪犯判处刑罚后,在一定期限内暂不执行,给予罪犯考验机会,若考验期内无特定违法情形,则原判刑罚不再执行。例如:The judge granted him a suspension of sentence for two years.(法官判给他两年缓刑。)
probation:强调的是缓刑考验期这一阶段,以及罪犯在考验期内需遵守的特定条件和接受监督的状态。例如:He was put on probation for one year.(他被判一年缓刑。 )