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Kotomora

罸

punishment, penalty

Strokes15

Readings

On'yomi

  • バツ
  • バチ
  • ハツ

Kun'yomi

  • はっ.する

Meaning

罸 centers on the idea of a formal penalty or punishment, often with a sense of a fine or sanction imposed for wrongdoing.

Study

Etymology

罸 is a variant form of 罰, combining 罒 (net) with 討 (to chastise). The net suggests entrapment or capture, while 討 adds the idea of verbal or physical correction, together expressing punishment.

Meaning mnemonic

A net (罒) catches wrongdoing, and below it 討 (chastise) delivers the penalty. Imagine a net trapping a criminal, who then receives a formal punishment.

Reading mnemonic

For バツ, picture a judge slamming a gavel and shouting 'Bats!' as a penalty is handed down: Bats -> バツ, and the net ensures no escape from the punishment.