Usage of 罚款
The term 罚款 (fá kuǎn) primarily means "to fine" or "a fine" as a penalty for breaking rules or laws. It is commonly used in legal, traffic, and administrative contexts.
Common contexts
罚款 is often used when authorities impose a monetary penalty for offenses such as speeding, environmental violations, or late payments. It can be both a noun (the fine itself) and a verb (to impose a fine).
Collocations and patterns
- 罚款金额 (fákuǎn jīn'é): amount of the fine
- 被罚款 (bèi fákuǎn): to be fined (passive)
- 交罚款 (jiāo fákuǎn): to pay a fine
Register and tone
This word is formal and mostly used in official or legal contexts. It is not used casually in everyday conversation unless discussing fines or penalties.
Common confusion
Do not confuse 罚款 with 罚单 (fádān), which specifically refers to a ticket or citation. 罚款 refers to the monetary penalty itself.