====== fákuǎn: 罚款 - Fine, Penalty (monetary) ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** fakuan, fákuǎn, 罚款, Chinese fine, penalty in China, how to say fine in Chinese, pay a fine in Chinese, traffic fine China, speeding ticket China, Chinese punishment, monetary penalty
  * **Summary:** Learn how to use "罚款 (fákuǎn)," the essential Chinese word for a monetary fine or penalty. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage, from traffic tickets to library fines. Discover how to use it as both a noun ("a fine") and a verb ("to fine someone"), with 10 practical example sentences, common mistakes to avoid, and related vocabulary for navigating rules and regulations in modern China.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** fákuǎn
  * **Part of Speech:** Verb, Noun
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 4
  * **Concise Definition:** To impose a fine; a monetary penalty.
  * **In a Nutshell:** "罚款 (fákuǎn)" is the standard, official term for any punishment that involves paying money for breaking a rule. Think of speeding tickets, fines for littering, late fees on a bill, or penalties for breaking a contract. It's a direct and unambiguous word that signifies a consequence for an infraction, paid to an authority.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **罚 (fá):** To punish, to penalize. This character is composed of 罒 (wǎng), a pictograph of a 'net', and 刂 (dāo), a 'knife'. Together, they create a vivid image of being caught in a net and then facing a sharp punishment.
  * **款 (kuǎn):** A sum of money; funds; an item or clause. This character has multiple meanings, but in this context, it clearly refers to money or funds.
When combined, **罚款 (fákuǎn)** literally translates to "punishment money," which is precisely what a fine is. The characters' origins paint a clear picture of the word's meaning: a monetary penalty for being caught doing something wrong.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
In China, as in the West, "罚款 (fákuǎn)" is a fundamental tool of social governance and maintaining public order. It represents the principle of **法治 (fǎzhì)**, or "rule of law," where consequences are clearly defined and applied by the state or an organization.
A key cultural point of comparison is the interplay between formal rules and informal relationships. While in the West, one might try to "talk their way out of a ticket," in China, the concept of **关系 (guānxi)**, or social connections, might historically have played a role in mitigating minor issues. However, with increased digitization, surveillance (e.g., traffic cameras), and a nationwide push against corruption, the effectiveness of "guānxi" in avoiding official fines has significantly diminished. For a foreigner, it's always best to assume the rules are absolute. The "罚款" is an impersonal consequence from the system, not a personal negotiation with an officer. It's less about pleading your case on the spot and more about a straightforward administrative process: you broke the rule, here is the penalty, please pay it at the designated place or via the app.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
"罚款" is an extremely common word used in many official and daily contexts. Its connotation is consistently negative and formal.
**As a Noun (a fine):**
It is often preceded by a measure word like "一笔 (yī bǐ)" or "一个 (yī ge)".
  *   `我收到了一个交通**罚款**。` (Wǒ shōudào le yī ge jiāotōng **fákuǎn**.) - I received a traffic fine.
**As a Verb (to fine someone):**
It functions as a separable verb, meaning you can place the object (the person being fined) and the amount in the middle of "罚...款".
  *   `警察**罚**了我200块钱**款**。` (Jǐngchá **fá** le wǒ liǎng bǎi kuài qián **kuǎn**.) - The police fined me 200 yuan.
    *   Note: Often, the final "款" is dropped in this structure, making it `警察罚了我200块。` (Jǐngchá fá le wǒ liǎng bǎi kuài.) - The police fined me 200 kuai.
This term is used for:
  *   **Traffic Violations:** Speeding, running a red light, illegal parking.
  *   **Public Misconduct:** Littering, spitting.
  *   **Administrative Penalties:** Late library books, overdue bill payments.
  *   **Company Rules:** Violating a corporate policy might result in a "罚款" deducted from your salary.
===== Example Sentences =====
**Example 1:**
  *   因为超速，他被**罚款**五百元。
  *   Pinyin: Yīnwèi chāosù, tā bèi **fákuǎn** wǔbǎi yuán.
  *   English: He was fined 500 yuan for speeding.
  *   Analysis: A classic example using the passive structure "被 (bèi)" to show that an action (the fine) was done to him.
**Example 2:**
  *   图书馆规定，书过期不还要交**罚款**。
  *   Pinyin: Túshūguǎn guīdìng, shū guòqī bù huán yào jiāo **fákuǎn**.
  *   English: The library rules state that you have to pay a fine for not returning books on time.
  *   Analysis: Here, "罚款" is a noun. "交 (jiāo)" is the verb "to pay" that is almost always used with it.
**Example 3:**
  *   你再乱扔垃圾，我就要**罚款**了！
  *   Pinyin: Nǐ zài luàn rēng lājī, wǒ jiù yào **fákuǎn** le!
  *   English: If you litter again, I'm going to fine you!
  *   Analysis: Shows "罚款" used as a verb in a direct threat or warning. The speaker is in a position of authority.
**Example 4:**
  *   这个**罚款**必须在十五天内付清。
  *   Pinyin: Zhè ge **fákuǎn** bìxū zài shíwǔ tiān nèi fùqīng.
  *   English: This fine must be paid in full within 15 days.
  *   Analysis: Demonstrates "罚款" as a noun, the subject of the sentence, in a formal, instructional context.
**Example 5:**
  *   违章停车的**罚款**是多少钱？
  *   Pinyin: Wéizhāng tíngchē de **fákuǎn** shì duōshǎo qián?
  *   English: How much is the fine for illegal parking?
  *   Analysis: A very practical question a driver might ask. "违章 (wéizhāng)" means "to violate regulations."
**Example 6:**
  *   公司**罚**了他上个月一半的奖金**款**。
  *   Pinyin: Gōngsī **fá** le tā shàng ge yuè yībàn de jiǎngjīn **kuǎn**.
  *   English: The company fined him half of last month's bonus.
  *   Analysis: This shows the separable verb usage `罚 + object + amount + 款`. This structure is very native.
**Example 7:**
  *   他因为在合同中违反了条款而面临巨额**罚款**。
  *   Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi zài hétong zhōng wéifǎn le tiáokuǎn ér miànlín jù'é **fákuǎn**.
  *   English: He faces a huge fine for violating the clauses in the contract.
  *   Analysis: This shows a more formal, business/legal context. "巨额 (jù'é)" means "huge amount."
**Example 8:**
  *   别担心，这只是一个小小的**罚款**，不是什么大事。
  *   Pinyin: Bié dānxīn, zhè zhǐshì yī ge xiǎoxiǎo de **fákuǎn**, bùshì shénme dàshì.
  *   English: Don't worry, it's just a small fine, not a big deal.
  *   Analysis: Shows how the severity of the "罚款" can be described with adjectives like "小小的 (xiǎoxiǎo de)".
**Example 9:**
  *   我不同意这个**罚款**，因为当时交通信号灯坏了。
  *   Pinyin: Wǒ bù tóngyì zhè ge **fákuǎn**, yīnwèi dāngshí jiāotōng xìnhàodēng huài le.
  *   English: I don't agree with this fine because the traffic light was broken at the time.
  *   Analysis: A practical sentence for disputing a fine, showing "罚款" as the object of disagreement.
**Example 10:**
  *   所有的**罚款**收入都将上缴国库。
  *   Pinyin: Suǒyǒu de **fákuǎn** shōurù dōu jiāng shàngjiǎo guókù.
  *   English: All revenue from fines will be turned over to the national treasury.
  *   Analysis: A highly formal, official sentence you might read in a government document, illustrating the ultimate destination of the money.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  *   **Separable Verb Usage:** English speakers often make mistakes with the word order when "罚款" is a verb.
    *   **Incorrect:** `警察罚款我200块。` (Jǐngchá fákuǎn wǒ 200 kuài.)
    *   **Correct:** `警察**罚**我200块**款**。` (Jǐngchá fá wǒ 200 kuài kuǎn.)
    *   **Also Correct (and more common):** `警察**罚**了我200块。` (Jǐngchá fá le wǒ 200 kuài.)
    *   **Rule:** The structure is `Verb (罚) + Object (who) + Amount`. The second character `款` can be added at the end or, more commonly, omitted.
  *   **罚款 (fákuǎn) vs. 罚金 (fájīn):** These are not interchangeable.
    *   **罚款 (fákuǎn):** An administrative fine. This is for things like traffic violations, littering, or breaking company rules. It's handed out by police, government agencies, or organizations. This is the one you'll encounter 99% of the time.
    *   **罚金 (fájīn):** A criminal fine. This is a more serious financial penalty imposed by a court of law as part of a criminal sentence.
  *   **罚款 (fákuǎn) vs. 赔偿 (péicháng):** This is a critical distinction between punishment and compensation.
    *   **罚款 (fákuǎn):** Punishment money paid to an authority (e.g., the government).
    *   **赔偿 (péicháng):** Compensation money paid to a victim for a loss or damages.
    *   **Example:** If you run a red light and hit another car, you must pay a **罚款** to the traffic police for breaking the law, and you must pay **赔偿** to the other driver for the damage to their car.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  *   [[处罚]] (chǔfá) - To punish; punishment. A much broader term that includes fines, but also other non-monetary punishments like a warning or detention.
  *   [[罚金]] (fájīn) - A criminal fine imposed by a court, distinct from an administrative `罚款`.
  *   [[违章]] (wéizhāng) - To violate regulations. This is the action that often leads to a `罚款`, especially in traffic contexts (e.g., `违章停车` - illegal parking).
  *   [[滞纳金]] (zhìnàjīn) - A late fee or surcharge. A more specific type of fine for paying a bill or fee after the deadline.
  *   [[交]] (jiāo) - To pay, hand over, submit. This is the standard verb used for paying a fine: `交罚款 (jiāo fákuǎn)`.
  *   [[没收]] (mòshōu) - To confiscate, to seize. Another form of official punishment where property is taken away.
  *   [[超速]] (chāosù) - To speed; speeding. A very common reason to receive a `罚款`.
  *   [[闯红灯]] (chuǎng hóngdēng) - To run a red light (literally "to crash the red light"). Another common traffic violation.
  *   [[罚单]] (fádān) - A ticket (for a fine); a citation. This is the physical or electronic piece of paper that details your `罚款`. `单 (dān)` means "slip" or "bill".
  *   [[扣分]] (kòu fēn) - To deduct points. In China's traffic system, you not only get a `罚款` but also have points deducted from your driver's license.