Translation guide
Expresses the idea of a harsh or strict penalty, often in legal, disciplinary, or moral contexts. Japanese uses specific nouns and set phrases rather than a single direct translation.
To refer to a strict or heavy punishment in legal, school, or workplace settings.
The most direct and common term for 'severe punishment,' used in formal and legal contexts.
He received severe punishment.
Violators will face severe punishment.
Literally 'heavy punishment,' a more descriptive phrase suitable for both formal and everyday use.
That crime deserves severe punishment.
Emphasizes strictness; often used in disciplinary contexts like schools or companies.
Students who broke the rules were given severe punishment.
To refer to the most severe forms of punishment, such as the death penalty or life imprisonment.
To express severe punishment as a consequence from a higher power, fate, or moral order.
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 cursed. More colloquial and often used in admonishments.
To describe severe measures taken to maintain order, especially in organizations.
厳罰 is a formal, compound noun often used in legal or official contexts. 重い罰 is more descriptive and can be used in everyday speech, but it is less common as a set phrase.
Directly translating 'severe punishment' as 厳しい罰 is grammatically possible but sounds unnatural. Use 厳罰 or 重い罰 instead.
死刑は最も重い刑罰だ。
The death penalty is the most severe punishment.
You'll be punished by heaven if you do that.