Japanese word

刑

Pronunciation

Romajikei

Meaning

  • nounpunishment

Example

法律に違反すると、刑を受けます。hō ritsu ni i han su ru to kei o u ke ma su

If you break the law, you will face punishment.

Illustration for 刑 (punishment)

More examples

裁判官は被告に懲役五年の刑を言い渡しました。sai ban kan wa hi koku ni chō eki go nen no kei o i i wata shi ma shi ta

The judge sentenced the defendant to five years in prison.

Core concept

Marks an officially imposed consequence for breaking a law, especially a sentence or legal penalty.

Common phrases

  • 刑を受けるkei o u ke ru

    receive a sentence

Similar words

刑罰keibatsu: A legal punishment imposed for a crime or other offense.
罰batsu: A penalty imposed for violating a rule or law.
処罰shobatsu: Official action that punishes a person for an offense.

Definition in Japanese

法律に違反した者に科される罰や、裁判で言い渡される処分。hō ritsu ni i han shi ta mono ni ka sa re ru batsu ya sai ban de i i wata sa re ru sho bun

Word origin

刑 (kei, "punishment") is a Sino-Japanese term based on the character 刑, whose core sense is a punishment imposed under law.

Usage tips

  • English uses punishment broadly, but 刑 (kei, "punishment") usually signals a formal legal sentence, so it fits court and crime discussions more than everyday discipline.

Other meanings

  • sentencenoun
  • penaltynoun

Word lists with this word