制裁する

• Reading: せいさいする
• Romaji: seisai suru
• Kanji breakdown: 制 (sei) — system, control, restrain; 裁 (sai) — judge, cut, decide
• Pronunciation: /seː.sai.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To punish; to impose sanctions. To take punitive action against a person, group, or nation for wrongdoing.

The verbal form of 制裁, used to describe the act of imposing sanctions or punishment. A transitive suru-verb that takes a direct object marked by を. Frequently appears in news reporting about international relations and disciplinary actions.

Examples

1. 規則に違反した国を制裁する方針が示された。 A policy was announced to sanction countries that violate the rules.
2. 不正行為を制裁するための法律が成立した。 Legislation was enacted to punish misconduct.
3. 国際社会が協力してその国を制裁することになった。 The international community agreed to cooperate in sanctioning that country.

Usage Guide

Context: international relations, news, disciplinary action

Tone: serious

Origin & History

Verbal form of 制裁 (seisai, sanctions/punishment), created by adding する (suru, to do). The compound itself is from Sino-Japanese: 制 (sei, control) + 裁 (sai, judge).

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal