punishment

Compared meaning: punishment for doing wrong or breaking a rule (noun).

比较义项：因做错事或违反规则而受到的惩罚、处罚（名词）。

• punishment 本词

  The general, everyday word for any consequence given to someone for doing wrong; can be mild or severe, formal or informal, and is not tied to a specific rule system.

  这是最普通、最日常的用词，指对任何错误行为施加的后果，可以是轻的也可以是重的，可以是正式的也可以是非正式的，并不局限于某一套具体规则。

  The teacher gave a mild punishment for talking during the test.

  老师对在测验中讲话的行为给予了轻微的惩罚。

• penalty

  Implies a formal or official consequence for breaking a specific rule, law or contract, often a fine or a sports penalty like a penalty kick; sounds odd for a parent's casual scolding.

  强调因违反某一套具体的规则、法律或合同而受到的正式处罚，常指罚款，或体育比赛中的判罚（如点球）；用在家长随口的责骂上会显得不自然。

  The player received a penalty for breaking the rules.

  这名球员因违反规则而受到了处罚。

Both words mean a consequence for wrongdoing. Punishment is the general, everyday word for any consequence, not tied to a specific rule system. Penalty implies a formal consequence for breaking a specific rule, law, or contract, often a fine or a sports penalty kick.

这两个词在该义项上意思接近，都指对错误行为施加的惩罚，但 punishment 是最普通、最宽泛的说法，可用于日常、家庭、道德或法律场合；penalty 更强调因违反具体规则、法律或合同而受到的正式处罚，常与罚款或体育比赛中的判罚（如点球）连用。