verb
to punish
B1
Regular transitive verb meaning 'to punish' or 'to penalize'. Uses auxiliary haben for perfect (hat bestraft). Passive formed with werden (wird bestraft). Non‑reflexive, not separable, weak/regular (Partizip II: 'bestraft'). Takes an accusative object (jemanden bestrafen). Common in legal and everyday contexts.
Examples
Ich bestrafe das Kind nicht.
I don't punish the child.
Er ist bestraft worden.
He has been punished.
Der Richter bestrafte den Täter.
The judge punished the perpetrator.
Details
Mnemonics
a judge raising a gavel and the word 'ban' stamped on a paper to remember punishment
sounds like 'best ruff punish' — imagine a stern 'ruff' from a judge
Notes
Regular (weak) verb. Prefix be- is inseparable. Commonly appears in legal and disciplinary contexts.