straffa

Straffa is a Swedish verb meaning to punish or administer punishment to someone for a fault or offense. It is used in legal, disciplinary, and moral contexts as well as in everyday speech. The action implied by straffa can be carried out by authorities such as courts or police, by institutions like schools, or by individuals in informal situations. The related noun is straff, meaning punishment, while the formal legal term for the penalty that may be imposed is påföljd. In everyday language, straffa is often paired with adverbs describing severity, for example straffa hårt or straffa mildare.

Grammar and forms: Straffa is a regular verb. Infinitive: straffa; present tense: straffar; past tense: straffade; supine: straffat. The participle form is har straffat. The passive present form is straffas, as in Brottet straffas av rätten (The crime is punished by the court).

Usage notes: Straffa emphasizes punitive action rather than rehabilitation. It is common to distinguish between punishment and other responses such as rehabilitation or restitution. In legal contexts, on sö reminds that the outcome of punishment depends on the applicable påföljd, which may include fines, imprisonment, or other measures. Synonyms include bestraffa, which is close in meaning; while döma refers more to judging or sentencing. Antonyms include belöna (to reward) or rehabilitera (to rehabilitate) depending on context.

Etymology and related terms: Straffa derives from the noun straff, meaning punishment, and is cognate with similar forms in Norwegian and Danish (straffe). The term forms the basis for related expressions in Swedish law and everyday language.

See also: Straf, straffrihet (immunity), påföljd, bestraffa, döma.