Formal term for punishment or disciplinary action, often used in legal, institutional, or official contexts.
規則違反には厳しい科罰が科せられる。
Strict punishment is imposed for rule violations.
科罰の内容は就業規則に明記されている。
The details of disciplinary measures are specified in the work regulations.
Compound of 科 (ka, 'section, department, charge') and 罰 (batsu, 'punishment'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination conveys the idea of a prescribed penalty or disciplinary measure.