The Meaning of batsu [罰] In Japanese

罰
ばつ
Romaji: batsu N4

What does 罰 mean?

Translation and Meaning

punishment, penalty, chastisement

Definition

What does 罰 mean? It denotes a punishment or penalty imposed for wrongdoing; the concept extends to legal, moral, or disciplinary sanctions and often appears in compounds like 処罰, 刑罰, and 罰金.

Type

Noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Primary sense: punishment or penalty for wrongdoing, typically formalized by a sanction.
  • Legal/disciplinary usage: expressed in terms like 刑罰 and 罰金, focusing on the sanctions themselves.
  • Figurative or moral sense: the idea of consequences or accountability beyond formal punishment.

Etymology

Borrowing from Chinese fá (pronounced fá4 in Mandarin), with the Japanese on’yomi reading batsu developed through historical borrowing of the character and its pronunciation.

Origin

Origin in Japan is linked to the adoption of Chinese character usage in classical literature and legal texts; the concept of punishments appears in early Japanese legal codes and Buddhist-influenced moral discourse, with widespread usage by the medieval and Edo periods.

Composition

罰 is a single Kanji; no internal multi-kanji breakdown. It conveys the notion of punishment as a social sanction by itself.

Usage

Used in formal and legal language, academic writing, and traditional literature; common in phrases such as 罰を受ける, 罰する, 処罰, 刑罰, and 罰金; may appear as a standalone term in lists or discussions of punishment concepts.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: batsu sounds like ‘bats’ and the × mark (batsu) used for wrong answers in quizzes; remember that a batsu sign signals a penalty, linking the symbol to punishment.

Variations

  • 懲罰 (chōbatsu) – punishment, discipline
  • 刑罰 (keibatsu) – penalty, criminal punishment
  • 罰金 (bakkin) – fine
  • 赦免 (shamen) – pardon, amnesty

Example Phrases

  • 宿題を忘れた 子どもには 罰が 必要 だ と 親は 思う。
    Shukudai o wasureta kodomo ni wa batsu ga hitsuyou da to oya wa omou.
    Parents think that punishment is necessary for children who forget their homework.
    Lista:
    • 宿題を忘れた (Shukudai o wasureta) – forgot homework
    • 子どもには (kodomo ni wa) – to/for children
    • 罰が (batsu ga) – punishment
    • 必要 (hitsuyou) – necessary
    • だ (da) – is
    • と (to) – that
    • 親は (oya wa) – the parents
    • 思う (omou) – think
    「罰」 is a noun meaning punishment; here it is the subject of the clause 罰が必要だ.
罰