bestrafen
Translation
to punish, to penalize
Examples
Der Richter wird den Dieb bestrafen.
The judge will punish the thief.
Er wurde für sein schlechtes Verhalten bestraft.
He was punished for his bad behavior.
Grammar Patterns
((sb.)) ((for sth.)) to punish (sb.) (for sth.) He was punished for the theft.
Similar Words
Synonyms: ahnden, züchtigen; Antonyms: belohnen (to reward)
Etymology
From the prefix 'be-' (acting upon something) + 'strafen' (to punish). It makes the verb transitive, meaning to apply punishment to someone.
Memory Tips
Think of 'be-strafe' as 'to bestow a Strafe (punishment)' upon someone.