罸 (fá) - Punishment, penalty, to penalize — refers to formal

罸Tone 2

fá ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

恩丰

罸 · fá

Punishment, penalty, to penalize — refers to formal sanctions or consequences for wrongdoing, often in legal, moral, or competitive contexts.

Punishment, penalty, to penalize — refers to formal

Usage highlights

Penalty kickFinePunishDeath penaltyPenalty areaPenalty shootout

Synonyms

  • 惩— to punish, discipline
  • 刑— punishment, penalty (especially corporal)
  • 责— to blame, reprimand

Antonyms

  • 奖— reward, prize
  • 赏— to bestow, reward
  • 赦— to pardon, forgive

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He received a severe punishment (受到严厉的处罚).
  • The referee gave a penalty (裁判判罚).
  • Breaking the law results in penalties (违法必罚).
  • The company was fined for violations (公司被罚款).

Collocations

  • Penalty kick(罚球)
  • Fine(罚款)
  • Punish(处罚)
  • Death penalty(死刑)
  • Penalty area(罚球区)
  • Penalty shootout(点球大战)

Idioms

  • Rewards and punishments are clear(赏罚分明)
  • Punish one to warn a hundred(罚一儆百)
  • Heaven's punishment is hard to escape(天罚难逃)
  • No punishment without law(法无明文规定不罚)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese legalism, strict punishment (罚) was seen as essential for maintaining social order.
  • The character combines 'net' (罒/网) and 'speak/words' (讠/言), suggesting punishment through legal pronouncements or entrapment by law.
  • In Confucian thought, punishment was considered inferior to moral education but necessary for those who wouldn't be guided by virtue.

FAQ