Translation guide
The act of striking someone, especially a child, on the buttocks as punishment. In Japanese, this is expressed through specific nouns and verbs, with distinctions between formal, colloquial, and onomatopoeic terms.
To refer to the act of spanking, typically of a child, as a form of discipline.
A common, colloquial term for spanking, often used when talking to or about children. It is mild and somewhat affectionate.
If you're a bad kid, you'll get a spanking.
Literally 'buttock hitting', a straightforward noun for spanking. More direct than お尻ペンペン.
He often got spankings when he was a child.
Loanword from English, used in contexts discussing Western-style spanking or in BDSM contexts. Not common in everyday parenting language.
Spanking is sometimes considered a form of corporal punishment.
To express the action of spanking someone.
The most common way to say 'to spank'. Literally 'to hit the buttocks'. Used for children and in general contexts.
My mother spanked me when I lied.
Same as お尻を叩く but without the honorific prefix お. Slightly more blunt or informal.
The father spanked the child.
Colloquial verb form derived from the onomatopoeia ペンペン. Very casual and often used with children.
If you misbehave, I'll spank you.
To describe the sound or action of spanking in a vivid, often childish way.
While 体罰 (corporal punishment) is a related concept, it is a formal term and not used in everyday parenting language. Use お尻ペンペン or お尻を叩く for natural expressions.
Corporal punishment is prohibited by law.
He got a spanking for lying.
Spanking is not common in Japan these days.
The mother gave a sharp spank.