cing4 zi6懲治惩治
Jyutpingcing4 zi6
Yalechìhng jih
Definition
To punish, penalize, or discipline.
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How it's used
Carries a formal and authoritative tone, often implying a sense of justice or official retribution rather than simple scolding. It is frequently used in news reports or serious discussions regarding legal consequences or disciplinary actions against misconduct. Unlike everyday words for punishment, this term suggests a structured or institutional response to wrongdoing.
Examples
The government must penalise those corrupt officials.
You did something wrong, how should I penalise you?
Related words
Common phrases
severely penalise
penalise according to the law
Common mistake
Avoid using this in casual, everyday contexts like scolding a child or a friend, as it sounds overly dramatic and legalistic. Use 罰 or 懲罰 instead for general situations.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
