1.
fine; monetary penalty
A sum of money imposed as punishment for breaking a law, rule, or regulation. Used in both legal and informal contexts.
Common collocations: 罰金を払う (to pay a fine), 罰金を科す / 罰金が科せられる (to impose a fine / to have a fine imposed), 罰金刑 (fine as a criminal penalty). In Japanese law, 罰金 is a formal criminal penalty, distinct from 反則金 (infraction penalty — the administrative fine for minor traffic violations). Informally, 罰金 is used casually for any monetary penalty, even playful ones among friends. Related: 科料 (minor fine — a lighter criminal penalty), 違約金 (penalty for breach of contract).