The word 惩罚 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing conceptually to the overall meaning. The first character, 惩 (chéng), is itself composed of 征 (to subdue/expedition) over 心 (heart/mind), conveying the idea of subduing or rectifying one's inner faults or intentions as a corrective action. The second character, 罚 (fá), depicts a net (罒) over words (讠) and a knife (刂), symbolizing the imposition of consequences, capturing wrongdoing through judgment (words) and enacting a penalty (knife). Together, they visually and notionally merge the concepts of correction and penalty to form the complete idea of "punishment".