French word

châtiment

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃatimɑ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounpunishment

Example

Il a reçu le châtiment pour son vol.

He received punishment for his theft.

Illustration for châtiment (punishment)

More examples

Le récit parle du châtiment infligé aux traîtres.

The story tells of the punishment inflicted on traitors.

Core concept

A stern penalty imposed as moral payback for wrongdoing.

Common phrases

  • subir un châtiment

    undergo punishment

  • échapper au châtiment

    escape punishment

Similar words

punition: A punishment imposed by a person or institution for misconduct or rule breaking.
peine: A legal penalty imposed for committing a crime.
sanction: An official measure or penalty taken in response to a rule violation.

Definition in French

Sanction ou peine imposée pour un acte répréhensible, employée surtout en style soutenu ou dans un contexte moral.

Word origin

Châtiment comes through Old French chastiment from châtier, ultimately linked to Latin castigare, meaning to correct or punish.

Usage tips

  • Châtiment is formal and morally charged, so ordinary conversation usually favors the more neutral word peine.

Other meanings

  • chastisementnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word