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Kotomora

罰

penalty, punishment

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 2,000Strokes14

Readings

On'yomi

  • バツ
  • バチ
  • ハツ

Kun'yomi

  • ばっ.する

Meaning

罰 centers on a negative consequence for wrongdoing: a penalty or punishment imposed to correct or deter.

Most common words using 罰

20 of 57
  • 罰ばち
    N1

    (divine) punishment; curse; retribution

  • 罰ばつ
    N1

    punishment; penalty

  • 罰金ばっきん
    N1

    fine; penalty

  • 処罰しょばつ
    N1

    punishment; penalty

  • 罰するばっする
    N3

    to punish; to penalize; to penalise

  • 罰則ばっそく
    N1

    punishment; penalty

  • 刑罰けいばつ
    N1

    (criminal) punishment; penalty; sentence

  • 懲罰ちょうばつ

    discipline; punishment; reprimand

  • 体罰たいばつ

    corporal punishment

  • 天罰てんばつ

    divine punishment; wrath of God; justice of heaven; nemesis

  • 厳罰げんばつ

    severe punishment; rigorous measures

  • 罰当たりばちあたり

    damned; cursed; accursed

  • 神罰しんばつ

    divine punishment

  • 賞罰しょうばつ
    N1

    reward and punishment

  • 重罰じゅうばつ

    heavy punishment

  • 罰点ばってん
    N1

    cross mark; demerit mark; an X

  • 懲罰委員会ちょうばついいんかい

    disciplinary committee

  • 一罰百戒いちばつひゃっかい

    punishing a crime to make an example for others

  • 仏罰ぶつばち

    punishment by Buddha; divine retribution

  • 代理処罰だいりしょばつ

    proxy punishment (system of punishment under the laws of a country to which a perpetrator has fled)

Explore all words using 罰 →

Study

Etymology

罰 combines 罒 (net) with 䚯 (a component related to words and a knife), suggesting a net of words and cutting used to impose punishment. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the idea of a penalty enforced through authority is clear.

Meaning mnemonic

The top 罒 is a net, and the bottom 䚯 looks like words (言) and a knife (刂). Imagine a net of sharp words and a knife ready to deliver a penalty.

Reading mnemonic

For バツ, imagine a judge banging a gavel and shouting 'Batsu!' as they hand down a punishment. The sharp sound 'batsu' cues バツ.