Korean word

벌

Pronunciation

Romanizationpeol

Meaning

  • nounpunishment

Example

학교에서 벌을 받았어요.hak kkyo e seo peo reul pa da sseo yo

I was punished at school.

Illustration for 벌 (punishment)

More examples

회사 규정 위반으로 벌을 받았어요.hoe sa kyu jeong wi ba neu ro peo reul pa da sseo yo

I was punished for breaking company rules.

Core concept

An official or social response that makes wrongdoing carry a cost.

Common phrases

  • 벌점을 받다peol jeo meul pat tta

    get penalty points

  • 벌금을 내다peol geu meul nae da

    pay a fine

Similar words

처벌cheobeol: An official punishment imposed by an authority for breaking a law or rule.
벌금peolgeum: Money that must be paid as punishment for breaking a law or rule.
징계chinggye: An official response to breaking rules at school or work.

Definition in Korean

사회 규범이나 법을 어긴 행위에 대해 부과되는 불이익이나 응보적 조치를 뜻하는 말.sa hoe kyu beo mi na peo beul eo gin haeng wi e tae hae pu gwa doe neun pu ri i gi na eung bo jeok cho chi reul tteu ta neun mal

Word origin

The origin of this native Korean word in the punishment sense is uncertain, and breaking it into sounds would create a false explanation.

Usage tips

  • English learners may expect this word to describe only formal legal action, but it also fits ordinary rule-based discipline.

Other meanings

  • beenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 벌점peoljeompenalty pointsnoun
  • 징벌chingbeoldisciplinary punishmentnoun
  • 벌금peolgeumfinenoun

Word lists with this word