punish
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- 1 punish、penalize
This word means to impose a punishment or penalty in response to wrongdoing or a rule violation. It is used in everyday discipline as well as in schools, workplaces, and legal contexts.
punish、penalize
To give someone a punishment or impose a penalty because of misconduct, an offense, or a rule violation.
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ครูลงโทษนักเรียนที่มาสาย khruu loŋ thôot nák rian thîi maa sǎay The teacher punished the student who was late. ครูลงโทษนักเรียนที่มาสาย details
Learning notes
Explanation
ลงโทษ is a transitive verb used when an actual punishment, penalty, or disciplinary measure is imposed for misconduct or a rule violation. It normally implies more than simply criticizing or scolding someone. The word combines ลง and โทษ (“punishment,” “fault,” or “harm”), but learners should treat ลงโทษ as a single verb meaning “to punish.” Common patterns include ถูกลงโทษ (“be punished”), การลงโทษ (“punishment” or “the act of punishing”), ลงโทษตามกฎหมาย (“punish according to the law”), and ลงโทษทางวินัย (“take disciplinary action against”).
Usage
It is commonly used when discussing discipline at home or school, disciplinary action in the workplace, and the punishment of offenders in legal proceedings or news reports.
Caution
ดุ means “scold,” and ตำหนิ means “criticize” or “blame”; neither necessarily involves a punishment. For imposing a fine specifically, ปรับ is more precise. To say that someone “is punished,” use the passive construction ถูกลงโทษ.
Differences from similar words
1 punish synonyms
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ลงทัณฑ์ also means “to punish,” but it has a literary or old-fashioned tone and is uncommon in ordinary conversation. ลงโทษ is the standard choice in both everyday and official contexts.