() — to punish, to penalize; to fine

Definition

罚 (fá) is the short verb meaning 'to punish or fine,' used on its own before specifying the consequence. Pairs naturally with 款 'money' in 罚款 (monetary fine) and combines with 处/惩 to form the more formal 处罚/惩罚.

verb
to punishto penalizeto fine

Examples

  • Tā yīn wèi méi jiāo zuò yè bèi fá le.
    He was punished for not handing in his homework.
  • Lǎo shī fá tā zhàn le yì jié kè.
    The teacher made him stand for a whole class period as punishment.
  • Rú guǒ wéi fǎn guī dìng, gōng sī huì fá nǐ qián.
    If you violate the rules, the company will fine you.

Origin

Compound ideograph
六书liùshū
会意huìyì

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 罰; 罚 is its simplified writing.

  • abuse verbally
  • dāoknife

The traditional form 罰 pairs 詈 (abuse verbally) with 刀 (knife); verbal abuse and improper use of a knife represent a crime. The simplified 罚 is a later abbreviation.

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