1.
divine punishment; heavenly retribution
Punishment from heaven or the gods for wrongdoing. Used both literally in religious/traditional contexts and figuratively to express that someone deserved their misfortune.
天罰が下る。
Divine punishment descends.
あんなことをしたら天罰が当たるよ。
If you do something like that, you'll be punished by heaven.
悪事を重ねた結果、天罰を受けたのだと人々は噂した。
People whispered that it was divine punishment for all the evil deeds committed.
Composed of 天 (heaven) + 罰 (punishment). Expresses the idea that wrongdoers will eventually face retribution from a higher power. In modern usage, it is often used semi-figuratively to mean "serves them right" or to warn someone that their bad behavior will catch up with them.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 天罰が下る — divine punishment descends
- 天罰が当たる — to be struck by divine punishment
- 天罰を受ける — to receive divine punishment
- 天罰てきめん — swift and sure divine retribution
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 罰 — punishment; general term, not necessarily divine
- 報い — retribution, karma; consequence of one's actions, without the "heavenly" connotation
- 天誅 — divine retribution; stronger, more archaic, historically used to justify executing wrongdoers