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March 24, 2026
罚(罰)fá(fa2)
The character 罚 (fá) means 'to punish' or 'to penalize.' It is commonly used in legal and administrative contexts, such as fines or penalties imposed for violations. The nuance often implies a formal or official reprimand rather than a personal one.
Strokes9Radical罒Frequency#3645DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of punishment is often linked to maintaining social order and harmony. 罚 (fá) is prevalent in discussions about law enforcement and societal rules, reflecting the value placed on discipline and respect for authority.
Memory Tip
Imagine a judge wielding a gavel to impose a penalty (罚 fá) on a wrongdoer. The character has the radical '毛' (máo) which resembles a gavel, symbolizing authority. This visual connection helps recall its meaning related to punishment.
Meanings of 罚
fá(fa2)
1to punish
2to penalize
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 罚
罚Simplified
罰Traditional
9Strokes
罒Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#3645Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 罚
Podcast: 罚
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AI Study Notes for 罚
Quick Contrast
惩 (chéng) — use 罚 (fá) for formal penalties, while 惩 (chéng) emphasizes the idea of punishment as a corrective measure.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a judge wielding a gavel to impose a penalty (罚 fá) on a wrongdoer. The character has the radical '毛' (máo) which resembles a gavel, symbolizing authority. This visual connection helps recall its meaning related to punishment.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 罚 (fá) with 罰 (bá), which is a variant form but less commonly used. Additionally, it is typically used in formal contexts, so avoid using it informally. Common collocations include 罚款 (fákuǎn) meaning 'fine' and 处罚 (chǔfá) meaning 'punishment.'
HSK Study Tips
Though not specifically listed in the HSK levels, 罚 (fá) is relevant for learners at HSK 4 and above as it connects to themes of law and punishment. Students should focus on combining this with related vocabulary like 处罚 (punishment) and 罚款 (fine) for better contextual understanding.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of punishment is often linked to maintaining social order and harmony. 罚 (fá) is prevalent in discussions about law enforcement and societal rules, reflecting the value placed on discipline and respect for authority.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mix up 罚 (fá) with 罚款 (fákuǎn) thinking they are interchangeable, but 罚 specifically means 'to punish,' while 罚款 refers specifically to 'fine.' Always remember to use them in the right context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 罚
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Grammar Patterns of 罚
罚 carries 4 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Anyone who violates the regulations will be punished.
Example Sentences for 罚 (10)
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1
他向我诉说他觉得自己像是在受罚。
tā xiàng wǒ sù shuō tā jué dé zì jǐ xiàng shì zài shòu fá。
He confided to me that he felt like he was being punished.
2
这位30岁的苏格兰国脚因和边裁争执而被罚下场。
zhè wèi30 30 suì de sū gé lán guó jiǎo yīn hé biān cái zhēng zhí ér bèi fá xià。
The 30-year-old Scottish international was sent off for arguing with a linesman.
3
他们呼吁当局将蓄奴定为一种应该受到惩罚的罪行。
tā mén hū xū dāng jú jiāng xù nú dìng wéi yī zhǒng yīng gāi shòu dào chéng fá de zuì háng。
They called on the authorities to make slavery a punishable offence.
4
他在第32分钟时因故意手球犯规被罚下场。
tā zài dì32 32 fēn zhōng shí yīn gù yì shǒu qiú fàn guī bèi fá xià。
He got sent off for deliberate handball in the 32nd minute.
5
如果被判有罪，他就要面临巨额罚款。
rú guǒ bèi pàn yǒu zuì， ， tā jiù yào miàn lín jù é fá。
If he is found guilty he faces a hefty fine.
6
他可能会逃脱严惩，仅仅罚一点钱了事。
tā kě néng huì táo tuō yán chéng， ， jǐn jǐn fá yī diǎn qián le。
He is likely to get off with a small fine.
7
他说量刑时应当做到罚罪相当。
tā shuō liáng xíng shí yīng dāng zuò dào fá zuì xiāng dāng。
He said there was a need for proportionality in sentencing.
8
那些拒不悔改的人，他说，将会受到惩罚。
nà xiē jù bù huǐ gǎi de rén， ， tā， shuō ， jiāng huì shòu dào。
Those who refuse to repent, he said, will be punished.
9
很多人认为对鲁莽驾驶的司机处罚过轻。
hěn duō rén rèn wéi duì lǔ mǎng jià shǐ de sī jī chǔ fá guò qīng。
Many people believe reckless drivers are treated too leniently.
10
英国会对运载证件不齐全的乘客进入国内的航空公司课以罚款。
yīng guó huì duì yùn zǎi zhèng jiàn bù qí quán de chéng kè jìn rù guó nèi de háng kōng gōng sī kè yǐ fá kuǎn。
Britain imposed fines on airlines which bring in passengers without proper papers.
Cultural Notes for 罚
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of punishment is often linked to maintaining social order and harmony. 罚 (fá) is prevalent in discussions about law enforcement and societal rules, reflecting the value placed on discipline and respect for authority.
Word Family of 罚
Words Containing This Character18
惩罚chéngfápenalty懲罰
罚fáto punish罰
处罚chǔfáto penalize處罰
罚款fákuǎnto fine罰款
罚金fine罰金
罚球penalty shot罰球
刑罚sentence刑罰
体罚corporal punishment體罰
重罚to punish severely重罰
惩罚性punitive懲罰性
责罚to punish責罰
罚站to be made to stand still as a punishment罰站
赏罚reward and punishment賞罰
罚钱to fine罰錢
罚酒to drink as the result of having lost a bet罰酒
认罚to accept punishment認罰
主罚penalty (kick)主罰
敬酒不吃吃罚酒to refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit敬酒不吃吃罰酒
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 惩罚 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 罚
罚 (fá) generally means 'to punish', while 罚款 (fákuǎn) specifically refers to 'a fine' or 'penalty fee'. The latter term is used when discussing monetary penalties imposed for violations. Understanding this distinction can help in legal and formal discussions.
罚 (fá) is often used to indicate punishment in a more general sense, while 处罚 (chǔfá) refers more specifically to the act of imposing a penalty or sanction, often in a formal or legal context. Knowing when to use each can enhance clarity in communication about consequences.
罚 (fá) means 'to punish' or 'to penalize'. It is commonly used in legal contexts or when discussing discipline. This character is often seen in phrases related to fines or penalties.
You can use 罚 (fá) in a sentence like '他因为违反规则而被罚了' (Tā yīnwèi wéifǎn guīzé ér bèi fá le), which means 'He was punished for breaking the rules.' It's important to remember that 罚 can also imply a financial penalty.
You can say '他因为超速而被罚款' (Tā yīnwèi chāosù ér bèi fákuǎn), meaning 'He was fined for speeding.'
It's more commonly used in formal contexts such as legal discussions, rather than casual conversation.
罚 (fá) specifically means 'to punish,' while 处罚 (chǔfá) refers to the act of imposing a punishment or penalty.
