straffen
/ˈstrɑfə(n)/
To punish in Dutch is straffen. Wiktionary also lists afstraffen and bestraffen.
Meaning: to cause to suffer for crime or misconduct (verb)
Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA |
|---|---|
| straffen | /ˈstrɑfə(n)/ |
| afstraffen | /ˈɑfstrɑfə(n)/ |
| bestraffen | /bəˈstrɑfə(n)/ |
The verb is used to describe causing someone to suffer as a consequence for a crime or misconduct. While straffen is the most common and general term for the concept, other forms change the nuance of how that punishment is applied.
Which one should you use?
straffen is the most neutral and general way to express the concept of punishment. bestraffen is a synonym that is often used specifically in formal, legal or official settings.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈstrɑfə(n)/
Did you know?
- The linguistic root of straffen might originally have meant 'to squeeze' or 'to press', suggesting that punishment was once conceptualized as physical pressure.
- In Dutch, a 'strafexpeditie' is a 'punitive expedition', a term often used in historical and military contexts.
- If you want to describe a punishment that feels more like a personal reprimand or a specific lesson, you would use afstraffen instead of the general straffen.
Examples in context
- We zullen hen straffen.We will punish them.This sentence shows the use of straffen in a future tense context.Tatoeba #12326748 by doemaar14, translation #6121043 by mailohilohi
- Waarom zouden we je willen straffen?Why would we want to punish you?This sentence uses straffen to ask a question about the motive for punishment.Tatoeba #9067955 by doemaar14, translation #2014783 by CK
- Lincoln wou het zuiden niet straffen.Lincoln did not want to punish the south.This sentence demonstrates the use of straffen in a past tense context.Tatoeba #12343384 by megamanenm, translation #805436 by Source_VOA
- We moeten dit ongepaste gedrag bestraffen.We need to punish this inappropriate behavior.
- Ik pak je telefoon af als je nog één keer te laat thuiskomt.I'll take away your phone if you come home late one more time.
- The teacher strafte de studenten door hen een strenge blik te geven.The teacher punished the students by giving them a stern look.
- Ze hoefde hem niet te straffen. Haar teleurgestelde blik was genoeg.She didn't have to punish him, her disappointed look was enough.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Noah are discussing a child's bad behavior.
- EmmaHij heeft het raam gebroken.He broke the window.
- NoahMoeten we hem nu straffen?Should we punish him now?
- EmmaJa, dat is echt nodig.Yes, that is really necessary.
- NoahIk ben het met je eens, Emma.I agree with you, Emma.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “punish” translations and entries straffen, afstraffen, bestraffen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries afstraffen, bestraffen, straffen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
