罰金

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 罰金 is read as ばっきん and means “fine”.
• Basic usage: It appears when a rule breaker pays a fine and when a merchant has one imposed.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 罰金を払う / 罰金を科される
  • Use 罰金を払う from the payer’s perspective and 罰金を科される for having a fine imposed.