Punishment in different languages

Punishment in Different Languages

Discover 'Punishment' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.

Updated on March 6, 2024

Punishment, a word that carries significant weight in every culture and language. It refers to the penalty or consequences imposed on an individual for breaking rules or committing wrongdoings. The concept of punishment is deeply rooted in our societal structures, serving as a deterrent and a means of maintaining law and order.

Throughout history, the form and significance of punishment have evolved, reflecting cultural shifts and societal values. From ancient civilizations to modern times, punishment has been a topic of intense debate, with philosophers, lawmakers, and psychologists all contributing to the discourse. The word 'punishment' itself has been translated into various languages, each with its own unique cultural context and nuance.

For instance, in Spanish, punishment is 'castigo', in French, it's 'punition', while in German, it's 'Strafe'. These translations not only provide a linguistic insight but also offer a peek into how different cultures perceive and deal with the idea of punishment.

Understanding the translation of punishment in different languages can be fascinating for language enthusiasts, cultural researchers, and anyone interested in the global context of this significant concept. So, let's delve into the world of 'punishment' and explore its translations in various languages.

Punishment


Punishment in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansstraf
The word "straf" can also mean "tight" or "rigorous" in Afrikaans, a usage derived from the Dutch word "straf".
Amharicቅጣት
The word "ቅጣት" can also mean "justice", highlighting the connection between retribution and fairness in Amharic.
Hausaazaba
The word "azaba" in Hausa also means "hardship" or "suffering"
Igbontaramahụhụ
The Igbo word "ntaramahụhụ" also means "a state of being disciplined".
Malagasysazy
In Madagascar, the word "sazy" also means "lesson".
Nyanja (Chichewa)chilango
The word "chilango" also means "a person from Mexico City" in Spanish.
Shonachirango
The word "chirango" is thought to be derived from the Proto-Bantu root "-lang-," meaning "to punish or chastise."
Somaliciqaab
The word "ciqaab" is closely related to "caaqil", meaning an assembly of elders, as punishment is often determined by the deliberations of the community.
Sesothokotlo
"Kotlo" also means "oven" or "cooking pot".
Swahiliadhabu
The term 'adhabu' is likely derived from the Arabic 'adab,' meaning instruction or discipline.
Xhosaisohlwayo
"Isohlwayo" is derived from the verb "sohla", meaning "to punish", and can also refer to a fine or compensation paid to the victim of a crime.
Yorubaijiya
"Ijiya" also means "debt" in Yoruba, indicating the strong connection between wrongdoing and the need for restitution.
Zuluisijeziso
"I-sijeziso" is related to "isiso" to correct, to set right, to make someone realize their sin or mistake
Bambaraɲangili
Ewetohehe na ame
Kinyarwandaigihano
Lingalakopesa etumbu
Lugandaekibonerezo
Sepedikotlo
Twi (Akan)asotwe a wɔde ma

Punishment in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicعقاب
The word "عقاب" also means "eagle" in Arabic, with the latter meaning potentially originating from the bird's perceived harshness towards its prey.
Hebrewעֲנִישָׁה
The Hebrew word for "punishment" ("עֲנִישָׁה") also means "correction" or "discipline"
Pashtoسزا ورکول
The Pashto word "سزا ورکول" also means "reward or compensation".
Arabicعقاب
The word "عقاب" also means "eagle" in Arabic, with the latter meaning potentially originating from the bird's perceived harshness towards its prey.

Punishment in Western European Languages

Albaniandënimi
The Albanian word "dënimi" also has a religious connotation, referring to God's judgment or retribution
Basquezigorra
"Zigorra", meaning "punishment" in Basque, derives from the Latin "jus" (law), signifying a just or deserved retribution.
Catalancàstig
In Catalan, the word "càstig" can also refer to a type of traditional folk music from the Valencian Community.
Croatiankazna
The word “kazna” comes from the Greek word “kolasis,” which means “punishment” or “chastisement.”
Danishstraf
The word "straf" is derived from the Old Norse word "stráff", which means "severe" or "hard".
Dutchstraf
The word "straf" in Dutch also has the archaic meaning of "remedy" or "cure".
Englishpunishment
'Punishment' derives from the Latin 'poena', meaning either 'atonement' or 'suffering'. Thus it can denote both retribution and penalty or suffering.
Frenchchâtiment
The French word « châtiment » derives from the Latin « castigatio » (correction)
Frisianstraf
The word "straf" in Frisian has Germanic roots and is related to the English word "strike".
Galiciancastigo
In Galician, "castigo" can also refer to a type of traditional dance.
Germanbestrafung
The word "Bestrafung" derives from the Old High German word "strefon", meaning "to strengthen" or "to discipline".
Icelandicrefsing
The word "refsing" is derived from the Old Norse word "refsa", meaning "to punish or chastise". It can also refer to a penalty or fine imposed for an offense.
Irishpionós
The word "pionós" can also mean "penance" or "satisfaction" in a religious context.
Italianpunizione
The Italian word for "punishment", "punizione", comes from the Latin word "punire", which means "to purify" or "to make clean".
Luxembourgishbestrofung
Bestrofung is derived from the German verb bestrafen, meaning to punish or penalize.
Maltesepiena
Maltese "piena" derives from the Arabic "bayn" meaning "separation", as punishment involves being separated from society.
Norwegianavstraffelse
The word "avstraffelse" is derived from the Old Norse "afstrá" meaning "to put right" and "straff" meaning "strict".
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)punição
The Portuguese word "punição" (punishment) derives from the Latin "punitio" (action of punishing, revenge), related to the root "poen" (pain).
Scots Gaelicpeanas
"Peanas" is also a term for a "large, heavy load" or a "penalty".
Spanishcastigo
The Spanish word "castigo" originates from the Latin "castigare," which means "to correct or improve."
Swedishbestraffning
The word 'bestraffning' is derived from the Old Norse word 'straff' meaning 'reproach' or 'disgrace'.
Welshcosb
Cosb is cognate with the Breton "kozh" meaning "old," perhaps connecting the concept of "ancient punishment" with "punishment."

Punishment in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianпакаранне
Пакаранне can also mean a 'sentence' given by a court or a 'fine' paid for an offense.
Bosniankazna
The word 'kazna' is derived from the Proto-Slavic word 'kaza', which also means 'fate' or 'destiny'.
Bulgarianнаказание
The word "наказание" is derived from the Old Church Slavonic word "наказати", meaning "to instruct" or "to correct".
Czechtrest
The word "trest" in Czech also means "sentence (legal)" and is derived from the Latin word "tribunal".
Estoniankaristus
"Karistus" is possibly a loanword from Northern German via Swedish "karrest" (prison) and means initially "place of detention".
Finnishrangaistus
The word rangaistus is derived from the verb "rangata", meaning "to torment" or "to torture."
Hungarianbüntetés
The word "büntetés" also has the alternate meaning of "expiation".
Latviansods
“Sods” originally meant “judgment” and its meaning hasn't changed much today.
Lithuanianbausmė
"Bausmė" comes from "baudžia", a form of servitude in the former Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
Macedonianказна
The word "казна" in Macedonian is used to describe a punishment or penalty, but it also has the alternate meaning of "the treasury" or "the state budget".
Polishkara
The word "kara" can also mean "penalty" in a legal context.
Romanianpedeapsă
The word "pedeapsă" derives from the Latin "poena" and is also related to the verb "pedeapsi" and the noun "pedeapsă" in Albanian.
Russianнаказание
"Наказание" can also mean "order" coming from the root "казнить" meaning "to execute".
Serbianказна
The word "казна" in Serbian has Slavic roots and is also related to the word "казнить", which means "to execute".
Slovaktrest
The word "trest" also means "burden" or "trouble" in Slovak.
Sloveniankazen
Kazen is also a name associated with the Slavic goddess of punishment and revenge, Perperuna.
Ukrainianпокарання
The word “покарання” evolved from “кара” meaning “retribution,” a punishment for wrongdoing.

Punishment in South Asian Languages

Bengaliশাস্তি
From Sanskrit "shasti" meaning "instruction, command, discipline, control, chastisement, punishment" and ultimately from the root "śās" meaning "to command, regulate."
Gujaratiસજા
"સજા" is rooted in "Su" meaning "well" or "good" and "Jati" meaning "birth" or "origin". It thus refers to the idea of refining something for the greater good.
Hindiसज़ा
The word "सज़ा" (punishment) is derived from the Sanskrit word "सज़ा" (correction) and implies the notion of rectifying or straightening an individual's behaviour.
Kannadaಶಿಕ್ಷೆ
The Kannada word "ಶಿಕ್ಷೆ" also refers to education and training, as it shares its root with the Sanskrit word "शिष्य" (student).
Malayalamശിക്ഷ
"ശിക്ഷ" is derived from the Sanskrit word "śikṣā", meaning "instruction" or "discipline".
Marathiशिक्षा
The Marathi word "शिक्षा" originates from the Sanskrit word "शिष्या", meaning teaching or instruction, and has undergone a semantic shift over time.
Nepaliसजाय
The word "सजाय" can also mean “ornament”.
Punjabiਸਜ਼ਾ
The word "ਸਜ਼ਾ" is derived from the Sanskrit word "śikṣā", meaning "instruction" or "discipline".
Sinhala (Sinhalese)ද .ුවම්
The word "ද.ුවම්" ("dunam") literally means "the act of burning" in Pali, the language of ancient Buddhist scriptures.
Tamilதண்டனை
"தண்டனை" (tandaṉai) literally means "act of hitting" in Tamil and is related to the word "தண்டு" (taṇṭu), meaning "staff".
Teluguశిక్ష
The word 'శిక్ష' also means 'instruction' or 'discipline'
Urduسزا
The word "سزا" is derived from the Arabic word "سزاد" meaning "requital" or "retribution". It can also refer to the "consequences" of an action.

Punishment in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)惩罚
In Chinese, the character "惩罚" can also mean "to punish by law" or "a legal penalty."
Chinese (Traditional)懲罰
懲罰 can also mean "to punish oneself" or "to warn others from making the same mistake."
Japanese
罰 (batsu) can also mean "sin" or "suffering."
Korean처벌
처벌 originates from the term '처분', which refers to the act of disposing of someone through punishment.
Mongolianшийтгэл
The word "шийтгэл" can also refer to a "taxation" or "fine" in Mongolian.
Myanmar (Burmese)ပြစ်ဒဏ်

Punishment in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianhukuman
The word "hukuman" in Indonesian can also refer to a judicial decision or sentence.
Javaneseukuman
"Ukuman" is also the Javanese word for "measure", and is related to the Sanskrit word "uktha" (verse, rule).
Khmerការដាក់ទណ្ឌកម្ម
Laoການລົງໂທດ
Malayhukuman
The word "hukuman" can also mean "sentence (as in a court decision)" in Malay.
Thaiการลงโทษ
'การลงโทษ' literally translates to 'lowering the body,' a reflection of the historical practice of chaining prisoners by the neck in a painful lowering position.
Vietnamesesự trừng phạt
The word "sự trừng phạt" can also refer to the consequences of one's actions or behaviors.
Filipino (Tagalog)parusa

Punishment in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanicəza
The word "cəza" in Azerbaijani also means "fine" or "penalty".
Kazakhжазалау
The Kazakh word “жазалау” (“punishment”) derives from the verb “жазу” (“to write”), implying the act of recording or decreeing a penalty.
Kyrgyzжазалоо
"Жазалоо" means "reproach" in Kyrgyz, and also has meanings like "blame",
Tajikҷазо
The word "ҷазо" also means "revenge" and "retribution" in Tajik.
Turkmenjeza
Uzbekjazo
The word "jazo" in Uzbek can also mean "punishment" or "retribution".
Uyghurجازا

Punishment in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianhoʻopaʻi
In Hawaiian, "hoʻopaʻi" can also refer to discipline, suffering, or torment.
Maoriwhiu
The term 'whiu' in Te Reo Māori can also refer to the act of 'turning something upside down', highlighting the transformative nature of punishment.
Samoanfaʻasalaga
In Samoan, "faʻasalaga" also means "discipline" or "training".
Tagalog (Filipino)parusa
"Parusa" is of Sanskrit origin and initially meant "severe" or "hard", but the meaning evolved to "punishment" in Tagalog.

Punishment in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaramutuyaña
Guaranicastigo rehegua

Punishment in International Languages

Esperantopuno
The word "puno" also means "point" or "period" in Esperanto.
Latinpoena
Poena is the Latin word for punishment or penalty, and its etymology is linked to the verb pensare, meaning to weigh or ponder, suggesting the idea of balancing or paying for a wrong.

Punishment in Others Languages

Greekτιμωρία
The ancient Greek word 'τιμωρία' ('timoria') originally meant 'vengeance' or 'retribution', and only later acquired the more general meaning of 'punishment'.
Hmongkev rau txim
The term "kev rau txim" is also used to describe a "penalty" in a legal context.
Kurdishcezakirin
The word "cezakirin" is derived from an Armenian word meaning "to hurt" or "injure."
Turkishceza
"Ceza" is the Turkish word for "punishment", but it also has the same root as the Arabic word for "judgment"
Xhosaisohlwayo
"Isohlwayo" is derived from the verb "sohla", meaning "to punish", and can also refer to a fine or compensation paid to the victim of a crime.
Yiddishשטראָף
The Yiddish word "שטראָף" derives from the German word "Strafe", meaning not only "punishment" but also "fine".
Zuluisijeziso
"I-sijeziso" is related to "isiso" to correct, to set right, to make someone realize their sin or mistake
Assameseশাস্তি
Aymaramutuyaña
Bhojpuriसजा के सजा दिहल जाला
Dhivehiއަދަބު
Dogriसजा देना
Filipino (Tagalog)parusa
Guaranicastigo rehegua
Ilocanodusa
Kriopɔnishmɛnt
Kurdish (Sorani)سزا
Maithiliसजाय
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯆꯩꯔꯥꯛ ꯄꯤꯕꯥ꯫
Mizohremna pek a ni
Oromoadabbii
Odia (Oriya)ଦଣ୍ଡ
Quechuamuchuchiy
Sanskritदण्डः
Tatarҗәза
Tigrinyaመቕጻዕቲ
Tsongaku xupuriwa

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