punishment

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 刑 has six strokes and the on-reading けい.
• Basic usage: It appears in words concerning criminal punishment and investigation.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Punishment and an investigator
  • 刑罰(けいばつ) refers to legal punishment, while 刑事(けいじ) can refer to a detective investigating a crime.
  • In 刑事ドラマ, 刑事 likewise centers on investigating characters; distinguish it from 刑罰, the punishment itself.
• Its scope relative to ordinary penalties
  • 刑罰 is specifically criminal punishment. It is not a blanket term for every sports penalty or everyday reprimand.