How to say "penalty" in Japanese

• 刑けいJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, noun (suffix)The legal term for a criminal penalty or sentence imposed for an offence, as in court judgments; it covers punishment prescribed by law rather than penalties in everyday rules.
  彼かれは懲役ちょうえき十じゅう年ねんで、女房にょうぼうには三さん年ねんの刑けいが下くだった。↗

  He was given ten years and his wife three.
• ペナルティーCommon
  nounThe loanword, used for penalties imposed under rules — in sports and games, or for breaking regulations. For rule-based penalties in such contexts this is the word you want.
• 罰ばつCommon
  noun, noun (suffix)General punishment for wrongdoing, whether imposed by people or seen as deserved; it covers 'penalty' only loosely, when the emphasis is on being punished rather than on a specific sanction.
  犯罪はんざいにはすべて罰ばつが必要ひつようである。↗

  Every crime calls for punishment.
• 罰金ばっきんCommon
  nounSpecifically a fine: money paid as punishment for an offence or violation. When English 'penalty' means a monetary penalty, this is the precise word; it does not cover non-monetary punishments.
  駐車ちゅうしゃ違反いはんの罰金ばっきんは高たかい。↗

  Parking fines are very costly.
• 罰則ばっそくCommon
  nounThe punitive provision attached to a rule or regulation, the clause stating what penalty applies for violations. It names the penalty rule itself, not a punishment actually imposed on someone.
  この犯罪はんざいに対たいして法律ほうりつはある罰則ばっそくが規定きていされている。↗

  The law prescribes certain penalties for this offence.

Use 刑 for legally imposed criminal sentences, 罰 for punishment generally, 罰金 for monetary fines, 罰則 for the punitive provisions attached to rules, and 「ペナルティー」 for penalties under rules in sports, games and similar contexts.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 刑けいpenalty
• ペナルティーpenalty
• 罰ばつpunishment
• 罰金ばっきんfine
• 罰則ばっそくpunishment
• 処罰しょばつpunishment
• 刑罰けいばつ(criminal) punishment
• ペナpenalty
• 罰打ばつだpenalty
• 刑戮けいりくpunishment
• 追徴金ついちょうきんadditional collection
• 罪つみpenalty
• 処分しょぶんpunishment