How to say "punish" in Japanese

• 罰するばっするJLPT N3approx.Common
  suru verb (irregular), transitive verbThe direct equivalent of 'punish': to impose a penalty on someone for wrongdoing. Use it for parents, schools, employers, or law punishing a person's bad behavior.
  どうしてあなたは彼かれらを罰ばっしているのですか。↗

  What are you punishing them for?
• 処するしょするCommon
  suru verb (irregular), transitive verbCovers 'sentence' and 'condemn' first: a court or authority formally disposing of a case and imposing punishment. It fits legal or disciplinary judgments more than everyday punishing.
  その男おとこは終身刑しゅうしんけいに処しょせられた。↗

  The man was given a life sentence.

Use 「罰する」 for punishing someone for wrongdoing, and 「処する」 when the emphasis is on a formal legal sentence or condemnation handed down by an authority.

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

• 罰するばっするto punish
• 確定反撃かくていはんげきpunish
• 確反かくはんpunish
• 痛めつけるいためつけるto torment
• 懲らしめるこらしめるto chastise
• 懲らすこらすto chastise
• 辟へきfalse
• 罪するつみするto charge
• 罰を与えるばつをあたえるto impose a punishment (on)
• 処するしょするto sentence
• 処すしょすto sentence