Commutation和remission这两个词比较常见，除去常用的含义外，在法律领域，他们都可以用来表示“减刑”。

Commute/commutation

定义：to change a punishment to one that is less severe

例句1：

原文：

人民检察院认为人民法院减刑、假释的裁定不当，应当在收到裁定书副本后二十日以内，向人民法院提出书面纠正意见。人民法院应当在收到纠正意见后一个月以内重新组成合议庭进行审理，作出最终裁定。

（《中华人民共和国刑事诉讼法》第二百七十四条）

译文：

Deeming that a ruling of a people's court on commutation or parole is improper, a people's procuratorate shall, within 20 days after receiving a copy of the written ruling, submit a written opinion on correction to the people's court. The people's court shall, within one month after receiving the opinion on correction, form a new collegial panel to try the case and render a final ruling.

例句2：

原文：

对于犯罪分子的减刑，由执行机关向中级以上人民法院提出减刑建议书。人民法院应当组成合议庭进行审理，对确有悔改或者立功事实的，裁定予以减刑。非经法定程序不得减刑。

（《中华人民共和国刑法》第七十九条）

译文：

If punishment to a criminal is to be commuted, the executing organ shall submit to a People's Court at or above the intermediate level a written proposal for commutation of punishment. The People's Court shall form a collegiate panel for examination and, if the criminal is found to have shown true repentance or performed meritorious services, issue an order of commutation. However, no punishment shall be commuted without going through legal procedure.

Remit/remission

定义：to reduce a period of time that someone must spend in prison

例句：

原文：

A prisoner serving a sentence of imprisonment for an actual term of more than 1 month may, on the ground of his industry and good conduct, be granted remission in accordance with the provisions of this rule:

Provided that this rule shall not permit the reduction of the actual term to less than 31 days.

（《监狱规则》（香港法例第234A章）第69条第一款）

译文：

服刑中的囚犯如实际刑期超过1个月，可因勤奋及行为良好而按照本条的规定获得减刑︰

但本条并不准许将实际刑期减至少于31天。

例句2：

原文：

She has had part of her sentence remitted.

译文：

她得到了减刑。

来源：

Cambridge Dictionary；

www.elegislation.gov.hk