noun
A warning or admonition that makes someone reflect or avoid repeating a mistake; often used in phrases such as 戒めとする and 戒めを胸に刻む.
今回の失敗を戒めとして、確認を徹底する。
We will take this failure as a lesson and make sure to check thoroughly.
祖父の戒めを今も胸に刻んでいる。
I still keep my grandfather's admonition in my heart.
noun
prohibition; commandment; precept
Refers to a rule forbidding something, or a moral or religious precept. The spelling 禁め is noted for this sense but is rare.
その宗教には厳しい戒めがある。
That religion has strict precepts.
彼は「人を欺いてはならない」という戒めを守っている。
He follows the precept, 'You must not deceive others.'
noun
A less common noun use where 戒め means punishment or chastisement intended to correct conduct, not just a verbal warning.
昔は、戒めとして厳しい罰が科されることもあった。
In the past, severe penalties were sometimes imposed as punishment.
noun
Archaic use meaning caution, guarding, or keeping watch; in modern Japanese, 警戒 or 見張り would normally be used instead.
古い文章では、「いましめ」が警戒や見張りを意味することがある。
In old writing, いましめ can mean caution or keeping watch.