罰|ばちbachi[2]odaka (tail-high)

1. noun(divine) punishment; curse; retribution

• Synonym天罰てんばつNeutralPunishment sent down from heaven, as in 「天罰が下る」. The headword 「罰（ばち）」 leans colloquial and refers to retribution from gods and Buddha.
• Synonym天誅てんちゅうWrittenWritten/formal prose. Punishment from heaven, or slaying wrongdoers on heaven's behalf; often seen in period dramas. 「罰」 is retribution from gods and Buddha.
• Related戒めいましめNeutralAn admonition or lesson to keep someone from wrongdoing; also precepts or commandments. 「罰」 is retribution from gods and Buddha.
• Related処分しょぶんNeutralDisciplinary action or the disposal/handling of something, as in 「懲戒処分」. 「罰」 is retribution from gods and Buddha.
• Related制裁せいさいNeutralSanctions imposed on those who break the rules, as in 「経済制裁」. 「罰」 is retribution from gods and Buddha.
• Related処罰しょばつNeutralPunishing offenders as the rules require, as in 「厳重に処罰」. 「罰（ばち）」 is divine retribution from gods and Buddha.
• Related報いむくいNeutralRetribution or the consequences of one's deeds, as in 「報いを受ける」. Close to 「罰」, but not limited to what gods or Buddha send.
• Related仕置きしおきNeutralPunishment in general; in the Edo period it meant executing criminals. 「罰」 is retribution from gods and Buddha.
• Relatedお仕置きおしおきCasualColloquial. The form with 「お」, mostly for punishing children — spanking or scolding. 「罰」 is retribution from gods and Buddha.
• Related刑戮けいりくWrittenWritten/formal prose and archaic: inflicting penalties or execution; rarely used today. Unlike 「罰」, it has no sense of divine retribution.
• Related成敗せいばいNeutralPunishing a wrongdoer, as in 「喧嘩両成敗」. 「罰」 is retribution from gods and Buddha.
• Related懲らしめこらしめNeutralChastisement; teaching someone a lesson, as in 「懲らしめのため」. 「罰」 is retribution sent by gods and Buddha.
• Related科罰かばつWrittenWritten/formal prose and rare: imposing a penalty. In everyday speech say 「処罰」. 「罰」 is retribution from gods and Buddha.
• Antonym報奨ほうしょうNeutralThe antonym of 「罰」 on the reward-and-punishment axis: a reward or bonus given for merit, as in 「報奨金」.

Use 「罰」 for retribution from gods or Buddha, as in 「罰が当たる」. For punishment from heaven, pick 「天罰」; for punishment under the rules, 「処罰」; for disciplinary measures, 「処分」; for punishing children, 「お仕置き」. 「報奨」 is its antonym (reward).

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

1. （バチ）神仏しんぶつが人ひとの悪行あくぎょうに対たいして懲こらしめるために与あたえる苦痛くつう。悪事あくじの報むくい、たたり。