罚 (fá) - to punish & penalty

罚Tone 2

fá ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

恩丰

罚 · fá

to punish;

penalty;

punishment;

fine.

to punishpenaltypunishment

Usage highlights

punishmentpenaltyfineto be punisheddeath penaltydisciplinary action

Synonyms

  • 惩— to punish; discipline
  • 处— to deal with; punish

Antonyms

  • 奖— to reward; prize
  • 赏— to bestow; reward

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He received a fine for speeding (罚款).
  • The court will punish the criminal (惩罚).
  • The referee gave a penalty (处罚).
  • Breaking the rules leads to punishment (受罚).

Collocations

  • punishment(惩罚)
  • penalty(处罚)
  • fine(罚款)
  • to be punished(受罚)
  • death penalty(刑罚)
  • disciplinary action(责罚)

Idioms

  • Reward the good and punish the wicked(赏善罚恶)
  • Punish one to warn a hundred(罚一儆百)
  • Heaven's net has wide meshes, but nothing escapes it (天网恢恢，疏而不漏) - implying inevitable punishment

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character 罚 is composed of 罒 (net) and 讠 (speech) with 刂 (knife), symbolizing punishment through law and speech.
  • In traditional Chinese legalism, punishment (罚) was a key concept for maintaining social order.
  • Reflects the cultural emphasis on consequences for wrongdoing within a structured system.

FAQ