castigo

/kahs-TEE-go/

punishment

This image shows the noun meaning, "castigo" (punishment), depicted as a time-out consequence.

castigo(noun)

mA2

punishment

consequence for breaking a rule

Also:

penalty

in sports or legal contexts

chastisement

formal or literary

📝 In Action

El castigo por llegar tarde fue barrer el patio.

The punishment for being late was sweeping the yard.

La ley establece un castigo severo para ese crimen.

The law establishes a severe penalty for that crime.

No creo que el castigo deba ser físico.

I don't believe the punishment should be physical.

Word Connections

Synonyms

sanción (sanction, penalty)
pena (penalty, sorrow)

Antonyms

recompensa (reward)
premio (prize)

Common Collocations

imponer un castigo – to impose a punishment
merecer un castigo – to deserve a punishment

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Noun Rule

Since 'castigo' ends in -o, it is a masculine noun. Always use the masculine articles (el, un, los, unos) with it.

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal vs. Informal

While 'castigo' is neutral, in formal legal contexts, 'pena' (penalty/sentence) or 'sanción' (sanction) might be preferred over 'castigo'.

An adult figure standing sternly, pointing decisively toward a corner, indicating a consequence or punishment.

The stern gesture of the figure imposing a consequence visualizes the first-person verb form, "castigo" (I punish).

castigo(verb)

A1regular (with minor spelling changes) ar

I punish

first-person singular present tense

Also:

I chastise

formal synonym

📝 In Action

Yo castigo el mal comportamiento de mis hijos.

I punish the bad behavior of my children.

Si miento, sé que castigo mi conciencia.

If I lie, I know I punish my conscience (I feel guilty).

Word Connections

Synonyms

penar (to penalize)
reprender (to reprimand)

Antonyms

premiar (to reward)
felicitar (to congratulate)

💡 Grammar Points

Spelling Change for Sound

To keep the hard 'g' sound (like in 'go') before the vowels 'e' and 'i', the letter 'g' must change to 'gu'. This happens in the preterite ('yo castigué') and throughout the present subjunctive ('que yo castigue').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Missing the 'u'

Mistake: "Yo castigé (in the preterite)"

Correction: Yo castigué. If you don't add the 'u', the 'g' would sound like the 'h' in 'hello' in Spanish.

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedcastiga

yocastigo

túcastigas

ellos/ellas/ustedescastigan

nosotroscastigamos

vosotroscastigáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedcastigaba

yocastigaba

túcastigabas

ellos/ellas/ustedescastigaban

nosotroscastigábamos

vosotroscastigabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedcastigó

yocastigué

túcastigaste

ellos/ellas/ustedescastigaron

nosotroscastigamos

vosotroscastigasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedcastigue

yocastigue

túcastigues

ellos/ellas/ustedescastiguen

nosotroscastiguemos

vosotroscastiguéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedcastigara / castigase

yocastigara / castigase

túcastigaras / castigases

ellos/ellas/ustedescastigaran / castigasen

nosotroscastigáramos / castigásemos

vosotroscastigarais / castigaseis

View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: castigo

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'castigo' as a noun (a thing) rather than a verb (an action)?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

castigar(to punish) - verb

castigador(punisher) - noun

castigable(punishable) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'castigo' (noun) and 'castigar' (verb)?

'Castigo' is the concrete result or consequence (the punishment). 'Castigar' is the action of giving that consequence (to punish). Remember that 'castigo' is also the 'I' form of the verb: 'Yo castigo' (I punish).

Is 'castigo' only used for children?

No. While it's often used in family contexts, 'castigo' is widely used for penalties in sports, legal sentences, or consequences for any rule-breaking behavior in formal or informal settings.