Translation guide
The concept of punishment in Japanese can be expressed through various words depending on context: legal penalties, disciplinary actions, divine retribution, or informal scolding. The most common general term is 罰 (batsu), but learners should choose based on the specific situation.
To refer to punishment in a broad sense, including legal penalties, school discipline, or consequences for wrongdoing.
The most common and versatile word for punishment. Can be used in many contexts, from legal to everyday.
If you do bad things, you'll be punished.
彼は罰として掃除をさせられた。
He was made to clean as punishment.
Refers specifically to legal punishment or criminal penalties.
その犯罪には重い刑罰が科せられる。
Heavy penalties are imposed for that crime.
Punishment as an action, often used in official or disciplinary contexts.
規則違反には厳しい処罰が待っている。
Strict punishment awaits those who break the rules.
To talk about punishment given to children, students, or subordinates to correct behavior.
Often used for punishment of children or in a slightly playful/disciplinary sense. Can sound old-fashioned or harsh depending on context.
いたずらをした子供にお仕置きをする。
Punish the child who misbehaved.
Disciplinary punishment, often used in institutional settings like schools or military.
Corporal punishment, a specific and sensitive topic.
To express the idea of punishment from a god, fate, or karma.
Heaven's punishment, divine retribution. Often used in dramatic or moralistic contexts.
悪事を働くと天罰が下る。
If you do evil, divine punishment will befall you.
Describes an act that invites divine punishment, or a person who is irreverent. Often used in everyday speech to scold.
To refer to a penalty or forfeit in a game, or a light-hearted punishment among friends.
A penalty game or forfeit, common in variety shows and casual gatherings.
負けたら罰ゲームをやらされる。
If you lose, you have to do a penalty game.
Loanword from English, used for penalties in sports, games, or contracts.
To express the action of punishing someone.
The standard verb meaning 'to punish'. Can be used in formal and general contexts.
法律は犯罪者を罰する。
The law punishes criminals.
To punish in order to teach a lesson, often used for children or subordinates.
Verb form of お仕置き, often used in parenting or playful contexts.
母は私をお仕置きした。
My mother punished me.
罰 (batsu) is the broadest term and can be used in everyday conversation. 刑罰 (keibatsu) specifically means criminal punishment under law. 処罰 (shobatsu) emphasizes the act of punishing, often by an authority. Use 罰 for most general situations.
罰としてお菓子抜き。
No snacks as punishment.
刑罰が重すぎる。
The criminal penalty is too severe.
In casual conversation, directly saying 罰する (bassuru) can sound overly formal or harsh. Instead, use phrases like 叱る (shikaru, to scold) or 怒る (okoru, to get angry) when the punishment is mild or parental. Reserve 罰する for serious or official contexts.
彼は罪に対する罰を受けた。
He received punishment for his crime.
盗みに対する罰は厳しい。
The punishment for stealing is severe.
それで十分罰になったと思う。
I think that's punishment enough.
学校で懲罰を受けた。
I received disciplinary punishment at school.
体罰は法律で禁止されている。
Corporal punishment is prohibited by law.
そんな罰当たりなことを言うな。
Don't say such blasphemous things.
The Buddhist concept of karmic retribution; what goes around comes around.
因果応報で彼は罰を受けた。
He was punished by karmic retribution.
遅刻するとペナルティがある。
There's a penalty for being late.
悪ガキを懲らしめてやる。
I'll teach those brats a lesson.