21 December 2025
How do you talk about punishment in German?
It’s what comes after breaking a rule, committing a crime, or even just ignoring a warning. In German, it’s die Strafe. This is your German Word of the Day - serious, legal, and essential for understanding rules, consequences, and justice.
The noun Strafe means punishment or penalty, and it’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German. It can range from a small fine to a prison sentence - or even something metaphorical like karma.
It’s a feminine noun, so we say die Strafe (still struggling with gender? Our video lesson helps you make sense of it quickly and naturally).
Pronunciation
Strafe is pronounced [SHTRAH-fuh]
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Stra like “shtrah”
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fe - a soft “fuh”
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Stress on the first syllable: STRÁfe
Example sentences
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Wer zu schnell fährt, bekommt eine Strafe.If you drive too fast, you get a fine.
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Die Strafe war hart, aber gerecht.The punishment was tough but fair.
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Auf dem Motorrad ohne Helm? Das gibt eine Strafe! On a motorcycle without a helmet? That’ll earn you a penalty!
Nuance and usage tips
⚖️ Types of punishment:
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Geldstrafe - fine (monetary penalty)
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Haftstrafe - prison sentence
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Freiheitsstrafe - custodial sentence
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Bewährungsstrafe - suspended sentence
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Todesstrafe - death penalty (still used in discussions about global justice)
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Verwarnungsgeld - minor fine (e.g., for parking)
🧒 In parenting / schools:
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Strafe schreiben - to write lines (disciplinary punishment)
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Strafarbeit - punishment homework
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Hausarrest als Strafe - grounded as punishment
💬 Figurative uses:
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Die Strafe folgt auf dem Fuß. - Punishment follows quickly.
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Gottes Strafe - divine punishment (often used figuratively or historically)
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Strafe muss sein. - “There must be punishment.” (Common expression)
How does this word come up in real conversations?
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“Wie hoch war die Strafe?”How high was the fine?
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“Er hat seine Strafe abgesessen.”He served his sentence.
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“Dafür bekommst du eine saftige Strafe!”You’ll get a hefty penalty for that!
Sample Dialogue (Beginner Level)
Sami: Ich habe ein Knöllchen bekommen!Lea: Echt? Was war los?Sami: Ich hab falsch geparkt. 25 Euro Strafe!Lea: Autsch. Das ist ärgerlich.
Translation:Sami: I got a parking ticket!Lea: Really? What happened?Sami: I parked in the wrong spot. 25-euro fine!Lea: Ouch. That’s annoying.
Grammatical case examples
Nominative:Die Strafe war übertrieben.The punishment was excessive.
Accusative:Er verdient die Strafe.He deserves the punishment.
Dative:Mit der Strafe kann ich leben.I can live with the punishment.
Genitive:Die Höhe der Strafe überrascht mich.The severity of the punishment surprises me.
Word variations and language tidbits
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Strafzettel - ticket/fine slip (e.g. for parking)
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Strafgesetzbuch - criminal code
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Strafrecht - criminal law
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Strafmaß - degree or amount of punishment
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Strafbefehl - penal order
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Strafgericht - criminal court
⚖️ Fun fact: In Germany, Geldstrafen (fines) are often calculated by “Tagessätze” (daily rates) based on income - making punishment more proportionate across income levels. A fine for a traffic or parking administrative offense is legally a Bußgeld or Verwarnungsgeld; Strafe is also common in everyday speech. Criminal fines are Geldstrafen.
📘 Duden entry: https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Strafe🎥 Want to avoid German grammar mistakes before they cost you? Our free video course teaches the 1000 most common nouns with structure, clarity, and examples - no punishment necessary.
Ready for more German Words of the Day?Do you know what System means? Every Strafe comes from one.And what about Szene? Some end in drama - and some in Strafe.
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