French Conversation · Level 71
60 words
French word
pénal
Pronunciation
IPA/penal/
Meaning
- adjectivepenal
Example
La sanction pénale peut être sévère.
A penalty imposed under criminal law may be severe.
More examples
Il risque des poursuites pénales.
He risks criminal prosecution.
Core concept
A legal framework linking an offence to a state-imposed punishment.
Common phrases
poursuites pénales
criminal prosecution
responsabilité pénale
criminal liability
Similar words
criminel: Relating to criminal acts or criminals.
Definition in French
Qui concerne le droit pénal ou les peines infligées à une infraction.
Word origin
French pénal comes from Latin poenalis, formed from poena, meaning punishment, which ultimately derives from Greek poinē.
Usage tips
- The adjective agrees as pénal, pénale, pénaux, or pénales according to the noun's gender and number.