Spanish Conversation · Level 156
30 words
Spanish word
penalizar
Pronunciation
IPA/penaliˈθaɾ/
Meaning
- verbpenalize
Example
La ley puede penalizar el ruido excesivo por la noche.
The law may penalize excessive noise at night.
More examples
Si se descubre fraude, la empresa será penalizada severamente.
If fraud is discovered, the company will be severely penalized.
Core concept
A referee or authority applying a sanction after a rule violation.
Common phrases
penalizar el incumplimiento
penalize noncompliance
penalizar a los infractores
penalize offenders
Similar words
castigar: Inflict punishment or suffering on a person as a direct response to wrongdoing.
multar: Charge a monetary fine as a penalty for an infraction or breach of rules.
sancionar: Impose an official sanction or disciplinary measure through authorized bodies.
Definition in Spanish
Imponer una sanción o castigo a alguien por una conducta o hecho que viola una norma, ley o regla.
Word origin
Derived from Spanish penal ('relating to punishment') with the productive suffix -izar, ultimately from Latin poena 'penalty', giving a verb that means to impose a sanction.
Usage tips
- Often appears with nouns like ley, norma, or falta and therefore sounds formal and institutional, unlike castigar for personal punishment or multar for monetary penalties.
Other meanings
- punishverb
- sanctionverb
Opposites
- perdonarforgiveverb
Related words
- penalizaciónpenalizationnoun
- penalizadopenalizedadjective