罚款

• Pinyin: fá kuǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 罚 = to punish; 款 = sum of money

Meaning

Fine; monetary penalty. A sum of money charged as punishment for an offense.

Official term for monetary penalties imposed by authorities for violations of rules, laws, or regulations. Commonly used for traffic fines, administrative penalties, and contract breaches.

Examples

1. 闯红灯的罚款是两百块。 The fine for running a red light is two hundred yuan.
2. 他因为违章停车被开了一张罚款单。 He was given a ticket for illegal parking.
3. 这家公司因为污染环境被处以巨额罚款。 This company was hit with a huge fine for polluting the environment.

Usage Guide

Context: law, traffic, business

Tone: official

Do Say

• 罚款要在三十天内交。(The fine must be paid within thirty days.)
• 这次罚款太重了。(This fine is too heavy.)

Don't Say

• 我给了他一个罚款 (Don't say 给罚款 — use 开罚单 for issuing a fine, or 被罚款 for receiving one)

Origin & History

Compound of 罚 (to punish) + 款 (sum of money), literally meaning punishment money.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal