Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
罚 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
罚
fá
to punish
HSK 5, zg, 9 strokes, radical 罒, rank #3645, Hard
罚
fá
to penalize
HSK 5, zg, 9 strokes, radical 罒, rank #3645, Hard
罚
fá
penalty, fine; to punish, to penalize
HSK 5, zg, 9 strokes, radical 罒, rank #3645, Hard
fá(fa2)fa T2
1to punish
2to penalize
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
罚(罰)fá(fa2)
The character 罚 (fá) means 'to punish' or 'to penalize.' It is commonly used in legal and administrative contexts, such as fines or penalties imposed for violations. The nuance often implies a formal or official reprimand rather than a personal one.
Strokes9Radical罒Frequency#3645DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of punishment is often linked to maintaining social order and harmony. 罚 (fá) is prevalent in discussions about law enforcement and societal rules, reflecting the value placed on discipline and respect for authority.
Memory tip
Imagine a judge wielding a gavel to impose a penalty (罚 fá) on a wrongdoer. The character has the radical '毛' (máo) which resembles a gavel, symbolizing authority. This visual connection helps recall its meaning related to punishment.
Meanings of 罚
fá(fa2)
1to punish
2to penalize
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 罚 means.
About 罚
罚Simplified
罰Traditional
9Strokes
罒Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#3645Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 罚
Podcast: 罚
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 罚
Quick Contrast
惩 (chéng) — use 罚 (fá) for formal penalties, while 惩 (chéng) emphasizes the idea of punishment as a corrective measure.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 罚 (fá) with 罰 (bá), which is a variant form but less commonly used. Additionally, it is typically used in formal contexts, so avoid using it informally. Common collocations include 罚款 (fákuǎn) meaning 'fine' and 处罚 (chǔfá) meaning 'punishment.'
HSK Study Tips
Though not specifically listed in the HSK levels, 罚 (fá) is relevant for learners at HSK 4 and above as it connects to themes of law and punishment. Students should focus on combining this with related vocabulary like 处罚 (punishment) and 罚款 (fine) for better contextual understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mix up 罚 (fá) with 罚款 (fákuǎn) thinking they are interchangeable, but 罚 specifically means 'to punish,' while 罚款 refers specifically to 'fine.' Always remember to use them in the right context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 罚
Premium — Locked
Tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 罚, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 罚 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 罚?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 罚 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The character 罚 (fá) means 'to punish' or 'to penalize.' It is commonly used in legal and administrative contexts, such as fines or penalties imposed for violations. The nuance often implies a formal or official reprimand rather than a personal one.
When to use 罚
Be careful not to confuse 罚 (fá) with 罰 (bá), which is a variant form but less commonly used. Additionally, it is typically used in formal contexts, so avoid using it informally. Common collocations include 罚款 (fákuǎn) meaning 'fine' and 处罚 (chǔfá) meaning 'punishment.'
罚 or something close to it
惩 (chéng) — use 罚 (fá) for formal penalties, while 惩 (chéng) emphasizes the idea of punishment as a corrective measure.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mix up 罚 (fá) with 罚款 (fákuǎn) thinking they are interchangeable, but 罚 specifically means 'to punish,' while 罚款 refers specifically to 'fine.' Always remember to use them in the right context.
Write 罚
罚
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 罚 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar patterns of 罚
罚 carries 3 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Many people believe reckless drivers are treated too leniently.
10
英国会对运载证件不齐全的乘客进入国内的航空公司课以罚款。
Yīng guóhuì duì yùn zǎi zhèngjiàn bù qíquán de chéngkè jìnrù guónèi de hángkōng gōngsī kè yǐ fákuǎn。
Britain imposed fines on airlines which bring in passengers without proper papers.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 罚?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Word Family of 罚
Words containing this character18
惩罚chéngfápenalty懲罰
罚fáto punish罰
处罚chǔfáto penalize處罰
罚款fákuǎnto fine罰款
罚金fájīnfine罰金
罚球fáqiúpenalty shot罰球
刑罚xíngfásentence刑罰
体罚tǐfácorporal punishment體罰
重罚zhòngfáto punish severely重罰
惩罚性chéngfáxìngpunitive懲罰性
责罚zéfáto punish責罰
罚站fázhànto be made to stand still as a punishment罰站
赏罚shǎngfáreward and punishment賞罰
罚钱fáqiánto fine罰錢
罚酒fájiǔto drink as the result of having lost a bet罰酒
认罚rènfáto accept punishment認罰
主罚zhǔfápenalty (kick)主罰
敬酒不吃吃罚酒jìngjiǔbùchīchīfájiǔto refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit敬酒不吃吃罰酒
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 罚
What does 惩罚 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 罚
罚 (fá) generally means 'to punish', while 罚款 (fákuǎn) specifically refers to 'a fine' or 'penalty fee'. The latter term is used when discussing monetary penalties imposed for violations. Understanding this distinction can help in legal and formal discussions.
罚 (fá) is often used to indicate punishment in a more general sense, while 处罚 (chǔfá) refers more specifically to the act of imposing a penalty or sanction, often in a formal or legal context. Knowing when to use each can enhance clarity in communication about consequences.
罚 (fá) means 'to punish' or 'to penalize'. It is commonly used in legal contexts or when discussing discipline. This character is often seen in phrases related to fines or penalties.
You can use 罚 (fá) in a sentence like '他因为违反规则而被罚了' (Tā yīnwèi wéifǎn guīzé ér bèi fá le), which means 'He was punished for breaking the rules.' It's important to remember that 罚 can also imply a financial penalty.
You can say '他因为超速而被罚款' (Tā yīnwèi chāosù ér bèi fákuǎn), meaning 'He was fined for speeding.'
It's more commonly used in formal contexts such as legal discussions, rather than casual conversation.
罚 (fá) specifically means 'to punish,' while 处罚 (chǔfá) refers to the act of imposing a punishment or penalty.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 罚?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.
A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.
