zaak3 fat6責罰责罚
Jyutpingzaak3 fat6
Yalejaak faht
Definition
To punish, penalize, or reprimand someone for a wrongdoing.
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How it's used
Carries a formal and serious tone, often implying a sense of authority or institutional consequence. Unlike casual scolding, it suggests a structured disciplinary action rather than just a verbal reprimand. It is frequently used in professional or academic settings to describe official penalties.
Examples
He was punished by the boss for doing something wrong.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this in casual, everyday situations between friends or family, as it sounds overly stiff and severe. For minor mistakes or casual scolding, use 鬧 or 責備 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.
