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What is the Kanji for 'Punish'? | 刑

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Punish', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Punish' is 刑.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Punish

    Reading

    onyomiけい

    kei

    Parts

    Open Sword (刀)

    Example Word

    刑: punishment. The Japanese noun '刑 (けい)' refers to 'punishment' in the context of legal or judicial penalties. It is commonly used in legal terminology to describe the consequences imposed by law for committing a crime. For example: he received a severe punishment「彼は重い刑を受けた」(かれはおもいけいをうけた). The punishment for theft is imprisonment「窃盗の刑は懲役です」(せっとうのけいはちょうえきです). This word is often seen in compounds like '死刑 (しけい)' (death penalty) or '無期懲役刑 (むきちょうえきけい)' (life imprisonment).

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    6

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    8

    Frequency

    980

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    radical

    Meaning

    Open

    radical

    Meaning

    Sword

    Radical Form Of

As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of one other kanji:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Model, Type

Words Using

This kanji is used in 5 words:

    word

    刑事

    Meaning

    Detective, Criminal case

    word

    刑務所

    Meaning

    Prison

    word

    死刑

    Meaning

    Death penalty

    word

    刑務

    Meaning

    Prison

    word

    Meaning

    Punishment

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 4 kanji contain the part 开 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Shape

    kanji

    Meaning

    Open

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sharpen

    kanji

    Meaning

    Departure

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 26 kanji contain the part 刂 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Before, Front

    kanji

    Meaning

    Return

    kanji

    Meaning

    Profit, Advantage

    kanji

    Meaning

    Separate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Reach, Arrival

    kanji

    Meaning

    System, Control

    kanji

    Meaning

    Rule

    kanji

    Meaning

    Divide, Split

    kanji

    Meaning

    Judge, Stamp

    kanji

    Meaning

    File

    kanji

    Meaning

    Secondary

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sword

    kanji

    Meaning

    Printing

    kanji

    Meaning

    Publish, Edition

    kanji

    Meaning

    Engrave

    kanji

    Meaning

    Drama

    kanji

    Meaning

    Create

    kanji

    Meaning

    Plane, Cut by chipping

    kanji

    Meaning

    Surplus

    kanji

    Meaning

    Stab

    kanji

    Meaning

    Group, Squad

    kanji

    Meaning

    Divide, Cut up

    kanji

    Meaning

    Medicine, Dose

    kanji

    Meaning

    Reap, Clip

    kanji

    Meaning

    Strength, Sturdy

    kanji

    Meaning

    Temple

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 刑 mean?

刑 means 'Punish'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Junior Highschool, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N1 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.