punishment
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punishment
A negative consequence or sanction imposed in response to misconduct, a rule violation, or a crime.
Als Bestrafung für das Zuspätkommen musste er nachsitzen.
As punishment for being late, he had to stay after school.
The word is derived from the verb 'bestrafen' (to punish). The ending '-ung' turns the verb into a feminine noun, a very common pattern in German.
Die schnelle Bestrafung des Schuldigen war ihm wichtig.
The swift punishment of the guilty person was important to him.
The preposition 'für' (+ accusative) gives the reason for the punishment. With 'als' (+ nominative), the type of punishment is described.
Er bekam eine Strafe für das Falschparken.
He got a fine for parking illegally.
Common verbs used with 'Bestrafung' (punishment) are 'einer Bestrafung entgehen' (to escape punishment), 'eine Bestrafung fürchten' (to fear punishment), or 'eine Bestrafung verhängen' (to impose a punishment).
Der Dieb konnte seiner Bestrafung nicht entgehen.
The thief could not escape his punishment.
You can often recognize the figurative meaning from evaluative adjectives such as 'gerecht' (just) or 'verdient' (deserved). This is not about an official punishment, but rather a kind of fate.
Dass er jetzt im Stau steht, ist die verdiente Bestrafung dafür, dass er so spät losgefahren ist.
The fact that he is now stuck in traffic is the deserved punishment for leaving so late.
punishment / penalty
'die Strafe' and 'die Bestrafung' both refer to a negative reaction to wrong behavior. 'Strafe' usually means the concrete consequence itself: for example, paying money, getting grounded, or another measure. 'Bestrafung' is more about the process or act of someone being punished. The word often sounds more general or formal. Learners confuse the words because they are very close in meaning. A practical tip: you get 'eine Strafe' (a punishment / penalty), but you talk about 'die Bestrafung' as an action or method.
Die Bestrafung des Schülers war zu hart, weil er nur einmal zu spät kam.
The punishment of the student was too harsh because he was late only once.
Nach der Arbeit muss Tom die Strafe bezahlen, weil er falsch geparkt hat.
After work, Tom has to pay the penalty because he parked illegally.