About
The character "惩" (chéng), meaning to punish or discipline, originates from its traditional and more elaborate form "懲". This traditional character is composed of "徵" (zhēng, meaning to summon or evidence) positioned above the radical "心" (xīn, heart or mind), which together create a semantic concept of summoning or affecting the inner self as a form of correction or warning. Over time, the character's application shifted from this sense of internal admonishment or cautionary restraint toward a more explicitly punitive and penal connotation, reflecting its use in legal and disciplinary contexts. The simplified form "惩" replaced the complex "徵" component with "征" (also zhēng, meaning to journey or subdue), thereby streamlining the character while retaining a conceptual link to forceful action, though the connection to the "heart" as the seat of conscience or intent remains visually and etymologically present in both forms.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他受到了惩罚。
学校惩罚了坏学生。
因为迟到，他被惩罚了。
政府决心惩治腐败。
如果违反规则，你将受到严厉惩罚。
法律对犯罪行为有明确的惩处规定。
为了维护社会公正，必须严惩不法分子。
通过对违法者的惩处，社会得以警示他人并预防犯罪。