dànim

Dënim is a noun in Albanian that denotes punishment, penalty, or sentence. It can refer to the act of imposing a penalty as well as to the penalty itself, and it is used in legal, religious, and social contexts.

In legal language, dënim refers to the sentence pronounced by a court after a conviction, together with the sanctions attached, such as imprisonment, fines, probation, or community service. The design and severity of dënim vary by jurisdiction and legal tradition and are often shaped by aims such as retribution, deterrence, rehabilitation, and public protection.

Beyond criminal law, dënim also appears in moral or religious discourse as condemnation or stigma for wrongdoing. It can describe public censure within a religious community or broader social criticism, and it is used in everyday speech to describe how actions or policies are judged or sanctioned by others.

Etymology: dënim derives from the Albanian verb dënua, meaning to condemn or punish, with the noun-forming suffix -im.

See also related concepts such as punishment, sentence (law), and sanction.