【析形】会意字。金文、小篆字形从网、从言、从刀。网表法网,言以论罪,刀以行刑。隶书字形网旁讹变为四。 【释义】《说文》:“罪之小者。”徐灏《注笺》:“重者为刑,轻者为罚。”本义为罪过、过错。引申作动词,指惩治、处罚。[罚不当罪]是指处罚和所犯罪行不相称。又引申为出钱赎罪,如[罚款]、[罚金]等。“罚”常与“赏”反义对举,[信赏必罚]指有功必赏,有罪必罚,赏罚严明。 【shape analysis】It is the associative character.In Bronze Inscriptions and Small Seal script the meaningful parts are 网(wǎng,net),言(yán,speak)and刀(dāo,knife).网means law,言means crime,刀means execution. 【original meaning】Sin or fault.