castigo

punishment, penalty

noun kah-STEE-goh Rare

Origin: Latin castigo (to correct, chastise)

Usage Note

Castigo is used especially for disciplinary punishment given to children or in religious contexts — mettere in castigo means to put someone in a corner or ground them. For legal penalties, Italians prefer pena or punizione. The phrase essere in castigo describes someone being punished.

Examples

"Il bambino è stato messo in castigo."

Natural Translation

The child was put in punishment (grounded).

Literal Translation

The child is-been put in punishment.

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