惩 (chéng) - punish, discipline, penalize — to impose a penalty & to serve as a warning

惩Tone 2

chéng ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

呈橙

惩 · chéng

punish, discipline, penalize — to impose a penalty for wrongdoing;

to serve as a warning;

to take disciplinary action.

punish, discipline, penalize — to impose a penaltyto serve as a warningto take disciplinary action.

Usage highlights

punishpunish and curepunish and preventseverely punishpunish one to warn a hundredpunish wickedness and promote goodness

Synonyms

  • 罚— penalize, fine
  • 处— deal with, punish
  • 治— deal with, punish

Antonyms

  • 奖— reward, award
  • 赏— reward, bestow
  • 褒— praise, commend

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The criminal was severely punished (严惩).
  • This serves as a warning to others (惩前毖后).
  • He was disciplined for violating the rules (惩处).
  • The law punishes such behavior (惩治).

Collocations

  • punish(惩罚)
  • punish and cure(惩处)
  • punish and prevent(惩治)
  • severely punish(严惩)
  • punish one to warn a hundred(惩一儆百)
  • punish wickedness and promote goodness(惩恶扬善)

Idioms

  • Learn from past mistakes to avoid future ones(惩前毖后)
  • Punish one to warn a hundred(惩一儆百)
  • Punish wickedness and promote goodness(惩恶扬善)
  • Severe punishment serves as a warning(严惩不贷)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Rooted in Chinese legalist tradition emphasizing strict laws and punishments to maintain social order.
  • Reflects Confucian idea of corrective justice - punishment should serve moral education and reform.
  • Common in legal and administrative contexts throughout Chinese history.

FAQ