straffe

Straffe is a Norwegian verb meaning to punish. It is used transitively with an object, as in å straffe noen for en forseelse (to punish someone for an offense). The present tense is straffer, the past tense is straffet, and the passive form is blir straffet. In legal contexts, the act of punishing is often described with the noun straff, while a formal sanction or penalty can be referred to as a straff.

The related noun straff denotes punishment or penalty, and the definite form is usually straffen. The term is widespread in criminal justice and everyday speech, and it appears in official terminology such as Straffeloven, the Norwegian Penal Code, which defines allowed penalties and their application. The concept is used across many Germanic languages with similar forms, including Danish and Swedish, where the verbs are closely related and the nouns for punishment share cognates.

Etymology and cognates: Straffe derives from Old Norse and is cognate with Danish straffe and Swedish straffa, reflecting a common Germanic root for punishment. The word is related to but distinct from other terms for penalty in each language, and it forms part of a broader family of terms describing sanctions in law and everyday life.

Usage notes: In Norwegian, straffe is a common verb in both legal and moral discussions. It can refer to formal legal penalties as well as disciplinary actions in non-criminal contexts. The term is typically used with explicit or implicit reference to consequences imposed for violations or wrongdoing.

See also: punishment, penalty, sentence, Straffeloven, sanctions.