罰|ばつbatsu[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. noun, noun (suffix)punishment; penalty
   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.

• SynonymペナルティーNeutralLoanword for a prescribed penalty or fine, or the penalty for a foul in ball games, as in 「ペナルティーキック」; 「罰」 is punishment for wrongdoing.
• Synonym処罰しょばつWrittenWritten register: punishment under rules or law, as in 「処罰を受ける」; 「罰」 is a short noun for the punishment itself.
• Synonym懲罰ちょうばつWrittenWritten register: punishment meant to deter future misbehavior, or formal censure such as a 「懲罰委員会」. 「罰」 is broader.
• Synonym懲戒ちょうかいWrittenWritten register: formal discipline for misconduct, at work or school, as in 「懲戒免職」. 「罰」 is broader.
• Synonym科罰かばつWrittenWritten and rare: imposing a penalty or criminal punishment. 「罰」 is the punishment itself rather than the act of imposing it.
• Related戒めいましめWrittenWritten register: an admonition, warning or precept, as in 「自分への戒め」; only secondarily punishment. 「罰」 is the punishment itself.
• Related処分しょぶんWrittenWritten register: handling or disposal of things, or a disciplinary measure such as 「停学処分」. 「罰」 is the punishment itself.
• Related制裁せいさいWrittenWritten register: sanctions on those who violate rules, as in 「経済制裁」. 「罰」 centers on an individual's punishment.
• Related報いむくいNeutralWhat one's own actions bring back, reward or retribution, as in 「当然の報い」. 「罰」 is punishment imposed for a wrongdoing.
• Related仕置きしおきCasualColloquial: punishing someone, especially corporal punishment, or an Edo-period execution. 「罰」 is the broader word.
• Relatedお仕置きおしおきCasualColloquial: punishment of children, often teasing or affectionate, as in 「お仕置きよ」. 「罰」 is broader and neutral.
• Related刑戮けいりくWrittenWritten and rare: criminal punishment or execution. 「罰」 is broader and not limited to legal penalties.
• Related成敗せいばいWrittenWritten register: chastising or dealing with someone, as in 「喧嘩両成敗」. 「罰」 is the plain word for the punishment itself.
• Related懲らしめこらしめCasualColloquial: chastisement to teach someone a lesson. 「罰」 is the broader, more neutral word for punishment.
• Antonym褒賞ほうしょうWrittenWritten register: a reward or prize for merit; the opposite of 「罰」 in the reward-and-punishment pairing.
• Antonym賞しょうNeutralA prize or award, as in 「賞を取る」; the everyday opposite of 「罰」 in the reward-and-punishment pairing.

Use 「罰」 for punishment imposed on someone for a wrongdoing, as in 「罰ゲーム」 or 「罰を受ける」. For punishment under rules or law choose 「処罰」; for formal discipline 「懲戒」 or 「処分」; for sports or prescribed penalties 「ペナルティー」. The opposites are 「賞」 and 「褒賞」.

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

1. （バツ）過あやまちや罪つみを犯おかした者ものに強制きょうせいされる苦痛くつう。