Translation guide
The concept of punishment in Japanese can be expressed through various words depending on context: legal penalties, disciplinary actions, divine retribution, or informal scolding. The most common general term is 罰 (batsu), but learners should choose based on the specific situation.
To refer to punishment in a broad sense, including legal penalties, school discipline, or consequences for wrongdoing.
The most common and versatile word for punishment. Can be used in many contexts, from legal to everyday.
If you do bad things, you'll be punished.
He was made to clean as punishment.
Refers specifically to legal punishment or criminal penalties.
Punishment as an action, often used in official or disciplinary contexts.
To talk about punishment given to children, students, or subordinates to correct behavior.
To express the idea of punishment from a god, fate, or karma.
To refer to a penalty or forfeit in a game, or a light-hearted punishment among friends.
To express the action of punishing someone.
The standard verb meaning 'to punish'. Can be used in formal and general contexts.
罰 (batsu) is the broadest term and can be used in everyday conversation. 刑罰 (keibatsu) specifically means criminal punishment under law. 処罰 (shobatsu) emphasizes the act of punishing, often by an authority. Use 罰 for most general situations.
No snacks as punishment.
He received punishment for his crime.
その犯罪には重い刑罰が科せられる。
Heavy penalties are imposed for that crime.
Strict punishment awaits those who break the rules.
Often used for punishment of children or in a slightly playful/disciplinary sense. Can sound old-fashioned or harsh depending on context.
Punish the child who misbehaved.
Disciplinary punishment, often used in institutional settings like schools or military.
I received disciplinary punishment at school.
Corporal punishment, a specific and sensitive topic.
Corporal punishment is prohibited by law.
Heaven's punishment, divine retribution. Often used in dramatic or moralistic contexts.
If you do evil, divine punishment will befall you.
Describes an act that invites divine punishment, or a person who is irreverent. Often used in everyday speech to scold.
Don't say such blasphemous things.
The Buddhist concept of karmic retribution; what goes around comes around.
He was punished by karmic retribution.
A penalty game or forfeit, common in variety shows and casual gatherings.
If you lose, you have to do a penalty game.
Loanword from English, used for penalties in sports, games, or contracts.
There's a penalty for being late.
The law punishes criminals.
To punish in order to teach a lesson, often used for children or subordinates.
I'll teach those brats a lesson.
Verb form of お仕置き, often used in parenting or playful contexts.
My mother punished me.
刑罰が重すぎる。
The criminal penalty is too severe.
In casual conversation, directly saying 罰する (bassuru) can sound overly formal or harsh. Instead, use phrases like 叱る (shikaru, to scold) or 怒る (okoru, to get angry) when the punishment is mild or parental. Reserve 罰する for serious or official contexts.
The punishment for stealing is severe.
I think that's punishment enough.