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March 24, 2026
罚款(罰款)fákuǎn(fa2kuan3)
罚款 refers to a monetary penalty imposed for violating laws or regulations. It is commonly used in legal and administrative contexts, such as traffic violations or business infractions. The term combines the concept of punishment (罚) with money (款), highlighting its financial nature.
Frequency#9515DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In China, fines can be imposed for various offenses, including traffic violations, which are strictly enforced to maintain public order. The concept of 罚款 is integral to Chinese legal culture, reflecting the government's approach to law enforcement.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'fa' (罚) that punishes you financially, like a 'kwan' (款) of cash disappearing from your wallet. Visualize a police officer handing you a ticket, and every time you hear '罚款', think of the cash 'kwan' you are losing due to your mistake.
Meanings of 罚款
fákuǎn(fa2kuan3)
1(impose a) fine
2penalty
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 罚款
罚款Simplified
罰款Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#9515Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 罚款
Podcast: 罚款
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AI Study Notes for 罚款
Quick Contrast
罚款 (fákuǎn) vs 罚金 (fájīn): 罚款 refers specifically to a monetary penalty imposed for violations, while 罚金 can refer to fines in a broader sense, including those not necessarily tied to a specific violation.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'fa' (罚) that punishes you financially, like a 'kwan' (款) of cash disappearing from your wallet. Visualize a police officer handing you a ticket, and every time you hear '罚款', think of the cash 'kwan' you are losing due to your mistake.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 罚款 with similar terms like 罚 (punish) and 款 (amount or sum), as they can lead to misunderstandings. This term is generally used in formal contexts, so it's best suited for discussions about law or finance rather than casual conversation.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 罚款 connects with other legal vocabulary such as 违法 (violate the law) and 处罚 (punishment). Students should focus on understanding how it fits into sentences and the contexts in which fines are discussed.
Cultural Note
In China, fines can be imposed for various offenses, including traffic violations, which are strictly enforced to maintain public order. The concept of 罚款 is integral to Chinese legal culture, reflecting the government's approach to law enforcement.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 罚款 in informal contexts, such as joking about being fined for not doing chores. A correct usage would be in a sentence discussing legal penalties, like '他因违法被罚款' (He was fined for violating the law).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 罚款
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Grammar Patterns of 罚款
罚款 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
如果被判有罪，他就要面临巨额____。
If he is found guilty he faces a hefty fine.
Example Sentences for 罚款 (7)
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1
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.
2
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.
zhuàng sǐ shǐ mì sī de qì chē sī jī jǐn bèi fá kuǎn250 250 yīng， bàng ， jià zhào shàng5 kòu。 le 5 fēn 。 gēng ràng rén bù kě， jiē shòu de shì ， tā jìng rán kāi zháo zì jǐ de chē cóng fǎ。
The driver of the car that killed Smith got a £250 fine and five penalty points on his licence. To add insult to injury, he drove away from court in his own car.
4
我刚刚收到了一张违法停车罚款通知单——多年来头一遭。
wǒ gāng gāng shōu dào le yī zhāng wéi fǎ tíng chē fá kuǎn tōng zhī dān—— —— duō nián lái tóu yī。
I've just got a parking ticket— my first in years.
Last year it was convicted and fined under the Trades Descriptions Act for placing For Sale boards on empty homes in the area.
6
他变得越来越胖并对于支付违章停车罚款感到厌烦.
tā biàn dé yuè lái yuè pàng bìng duì yú zhī fù wéi zhāng tíng chē fá kuǎn gǎn dào yàn fán.
He is getting fat and is tired of paying parking fines.
7
罚款对挣大钱的人来说无关紧要。
fá kuǎn duì zhèng dà qián de rén lái shuō wú guān jǐn yào。
Fines are meaningless to guys earning millions.
Cultural Notes for 罚款
🏮Cultural insight
In China, fines can be imposed for various offenses, including traffic violations, which are strictly enforced to maintain public order. The concept of 罚款 is integral to Chinese legal culture, reflecting the government's approach to law enforcement.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, fines are often seen as a deterrent to discourage certain behaviors, whereas in China, they can also reflect social responsibilities and communal order.
Frequently Asked Questions about 罚款
You can say: '他因为超速被罚款了' (He was fined for speeding).
No, 罚款 can refer to fines for various legal infractions, not just traffic-related issues.
罚款 specifically refers to monetary fines, while 处罚 encompasses broader forms of punishment, which can include fines, warnings, or imprisonment.
