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castigar

to punish

verb kahs-tee-GAHR Less Common

Usage Note

Castigar covers punishment by a parent, teacher, court, or institution. The noun is castigo (punishment, penalty). In sports, castigar al rival can mean to punish the opponent with effective play. The g becomes gu before -e in conjugation: castigué.

Examples

"Los padres castigaron al niño sin postre."

Natural Translation

The parents punished the child by withholding dessert.

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