Translation guide
The English verb 'punish' covers a range of actions from formal legal penalties to informal scolding or imposing consequences. In Japanese, the best choice depends on who is punishing whom, the severity, and the context.
To impose a penalty for a crime or offense, typically by authorities.
The most direct equivalent for formal punishment, used in legal and official contexts.
法律は犯罪者を厳しく罰する。
The law punishes criminals severely.
To punish or penalize, often used in official or disciplinary contexts.
会社は不正行為を処罰する方針だ。
The company has a policy of punishing misconduct.
Literally 'to give punishment', used in formal or legal discussions.
裁判官は被告に刑罰を与えた。
The judge imposed punishment on the defendant.
To correct a child's or student's behavior through scolding or mild consequences.
To scold or tell off, the most common word for parental or educational discipline.
母親は子供を叱った。
The mother scolded her child.
To discipline or teach a lesson, often with a nuance of making someone regret their actions.
To punish, often used in a domestic or playful context, or in fiction for 'discipline'.
悪い子にはお仕置きだよ。
Bad kids get punished.
To give a penalty for a rule violation in a game or competition.
To impose a penalty, used in sports or game rules.
審判は反則に罰則を与えた。
The referee punished the foul.
To impose a penalty, using the loanword 'penalty'.
違反にはペナルティが課される。
Violations are punished with a penalty.
To cause harm or suffering in return for a wrongdoing, often with a sense of vengeance.
To repay or recompense, often used for divine or karmic punishment.
悪行は必ず報いられる。
Evil deeds will surely be punished.
To punish or discipline, often with a connotation of retribution.
神は罪人を懲罰する。
God punishes sinners.
To suffer consequences naturally or through self-imposed hardship.
To be punished by divine or karmic forces; often used for 'getting what one deserves'.
そんなことをすると罰が当たるよ。
You'll be punished if you do that.
You reap what you sow; used when someone suffers natural consequences.
彼が失敗したのは自業自得だ。
His failure is his own punishment.
English 'punish' is often used lightly (e.g., 'I'll punish you for being late'). In Japanese, using 罰する in such contexts sounds overly harsh. Use 叱る or a playful phrase like お仕置きする instead.
罰する is for formal, legal, or serious punishment. 叱る is for scolding or disciplining someone in a personal relationship. Do not use 罰する for a parent scolding a child unless it's severe.
彼は罪を罰せられた。
He was punished for his crime.
先生はうるさい生徒を叱った。
The teacher punished the noisy students.
ルールを破ると罰せられます。
If you break the rules, you'll be punished.
いたずらをした生徒を懲らしめる。
To punish a student who misbehaved.