惩罚
chéngfá
The English word punishment is translated into Chinese as 惩罚 (chéngfá).
惩罚 refers to a penalty for wrongdoing and is used to convey the idea of punishment with the intention of correcting behavior and preventing future wrongdoing.
Meaning: penalty for wrongdoing (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 惩罚 is composed of 惩, meaning to punish or admonish and 罚, meaning to punish or fine.
Which one should you use?
While 惩罚 is a general term for punishment, 处罚 is more commonly used in formal, administrative or legal contexts to refer to official sanctions or fines.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 惩罚 can function as both a noun (punishment) and a verb (to punish).
How do you pronounce it?
chéngfá
Did you know?
- In traditional Chinese legal history, the 'Five Punishments' system ranged from tattooing the face to castration, far exceeding the modern definition of 惩罚.
- In some contexts, 罚 is used to describe a 'penalty kick' in football, showing how a word for legal punishment transitioned into sports terminology.
- The concept of 惩罚 is closely tied to the Confucian idea of 'rectification of names', where punishment is not just a penalty but a way to restore social order.
Examples in context
- 在中国，严重的污染行为会受到法律的制裁。In China, serious polluting activities are subject to legal punishment.
- 学校对学生作弊行为采取严厉的处罚措施。The school applies severe punitive measures to students involved in cheating.
- 你迟到了，要不要罚你请客？You're late, should I make you treat us as punishment?
- 我们被老师罚去打扫教室。We were punished by the teacher to clean the classroom.
- 这种行为应该受到惩罚。zhè zhǒng xíng wéi yīng gāi shòu dào chéng fá.This kind of behavior should be punished.
- 他害怕受到老师的惩罚。tā hài pà shòu dào lǎo shī de chéng fá.He is afraid of being punished by the teacher.
- 法律会对犯罪者进行惩罚。fǎ lǜ huì duì fàn zuì zhě jìn xíng chéng fá.The law will punish the criminals.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing company rules.
- 雨婷 Yuting志强，迟到会被惩罚吗？Zhìqiáng, chídào huì bèi chéngfá ma?Zhiqiang, will being late be punished?
- 志强 Zhiqiang是的，雨婷，会有罚款。Shì de, Yǔtíng, huì yǒu fákuǎn.Yes, Yuting, there will be a fine.
- 雨婷 Yuting这个惩罚太严格了。Zhè ge chéngfá tài yángé le.This punishment is too strict.
- 志强 Zhiqiang这就是公司的规定。Zhè jiùshì gōngsī de guīdìng.That is just the company regulation.
