🦅 Project Eagle
synonym Comparative
成敗
VS
鉄槌

Differences Between "成敗" and "鉄槌"

Option A
成敗
Meaning
judgment, punishment; reward or punishment (historical)
Reading
せいばい (seibai)
Syllabus Level
N1
Practical Example
悪代官は、ついに正義の味方に成敗された。
The corrupt official was finally brought to justice (punished) by the hero.
Option B
鉄槌
Meaning
hammer; (fig.) severe judgment/punishment; decisive blow
Reading
てっつい (tettsui)
Syllabus Level
N1
Practical Example
悪質な犯罪者には、法廷から鉄槌が下された。
A severe judgment was handed down from the court to the heinous criminal.

Which one to use?

Select the correct Japanese word for this context

Which word fits this context: "(judgment, punishment; reward or punishment (historical))"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 成敗: Historically, it meant administering justice, often involving punishment for wrongdoing. In modern usage, it can sometimes be used playfully or in a dramatic context to mean "to deal with" or "to get rid of" someone/something, especially an antagonist.
- 鉄槌: 本来は重いハンマーを指しますが、比喩的に、不正や悪行に対して下される厳しい裁きや決定的な打撃を意味します。主に公的、道徳的な文脈で用いられます。(Originally referring to a heavy hammer, it figuratively means a severe judgment or decisive blow delivered against injustice or wrongdoing. Primarily used in public or moral contexts.)
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