処罰

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 処罰 is read as しょばつ and is a noun for formally punishing someone who has broken a rule or law; it also combines with する as a verb.
• Basic usage: Describing fair punishment for a rule violation appears in 公平に処罰される, while considering punishment for a dishonest employee appears in 職員の処罰を検討する.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Expression relative to 罰
  • 処罰 is common for an official sanction imposed by an authority, whereas 罰 can name punishment itself in everyday language.