zhìcái: 制裁 - Sanction(s), To Punish (formally)

• Keywords: zhicai, 制裁, sanction, sanctions in Chinese, legal punishment, what does zhicai mean, meaning of 制裁, China sanctions, economic sanctions, international relations Chinese, HSK 6
• Summary: Learn the meaning and use of 制裁 (zhìcái), the formal Chinese word for “sanctions” or “to punish.” This page explores how zhìcái is used in international politics, law, and formal settings, breaking down its characters, cultural significance, and providing practical example sentences. Discover the key difference between zhìcái and informal punishment, a crucial nuance for any learner of Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhìcái
• Part of Speech: Verb, Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: To impose sanctions; a sanction; to punish according to a law or regulation.
• In a Nutshell: 制裁 (zhìcái) is a serious and formal term you'll encounter in news headlines and legal documents. Think of it as a punishment handed down by a powerful authority—like a government sanctioning another country, a court punishing a criminal, or a sports federation penalizing a player. It's not for everyday situations; you wouldn't use it to describe scolding a child. It always implies a formal, rule-based, and often severe, penalty.

• 制 (zhì): This character means “to control,” “to regulate,” or “to make.” You can see the radical for knife (刀) on the right, suggesting the act of cutting or shaping something to a specific standard or system. It implies imposing order and restriction.
• 裁 (cái): This character means “to cut” (like a tailor cutting cloth), “to judge,” or “to decide.” It carries the sense of making a decisive judgment or reduction.
• The two characters combine to form a powerful concept: “to control by judging and cutting back.” 制 (zhì) provides the authority and control, while 裁 (cái) delivers the specific, decisive punishment or limitation. Together, they perfectly capture the idea of imposing a formal penalty that restricts or cuts off something (e.g., trade, privileges, freedom).

In modern China, 制裁 (zhìcái) is a word loaded with political and economic weight. It features heavily in discussions of international relations, especially concerning trade disputes and geopolitical tensions. When Chinese state media discusses sanctions imposed by other countries, it's often framed as an unjust infringement on national sovereignty and a tool of foreign “hegemony.” Conversely, when China imposes its own sanctions, they are presented as necessary and legitimate “counter-measures” (反制措施, fǎnzhì cuòshī) to protect national interests. Compared to the English word “sanctions,” the core meaning is nearly identical. However, the cultural emphasis in China is often on the principle of non-interference. The use of 制裁 is seen as a highly confrontational act that goes against the ideal of harmonious international relations. For a learner, it's important to recognize that hearing or reading the word 制裁 almost always signals a serious conflict or dispute, whether in a domestic legal context or on the world stage.

制裁 (zhìcái) is used almost exclusively in formal contexts. You will rarely, if ever, hear it in casual conversation unless discussing the news.

• International Politics: This is the most common usage. It refers to economic, trade, or political sanctions between countries.
  • e.g., 经济制裁 (jīngjì zhìcái) - economic sanctions
  • e.g., 贸易制裁 (màoyì zhìcái) - trade sanctions
• Legal System: It can refer to punishments prescribed by law.
  • e.g., 受到法律的制裁 (shòudào fǎlǜ de zhìcái) - to receive legal punishment/sanctions.
• Formal Organizations: An organization, like the UN or a sports league, can impose 制裁 on a member, individual, or team for breaking rules.

Its connotation is always serious and negative for the party being sanctioned. It implies a significant penalty with tangible consequences.

• Example 1:
  • 联合国安理会决定对该国实施新的制裁。
  • Pinyin: Liánhéguó Ānlǐhuì juédìng duì gāi guó shíshī xīn de zhìcái.
  • English: The UN Security Council decided to implement new sanctions against that country.
  • Analysis: A classic example of 制裁 used as a noun in international politics. 实施 (shíshī) means “to implement” or “to carry out.”
• Example 2:
  • 任何违法行为都将受到法律的严厉制裁。
  • Pinyin: Rènhé wéifǎ xíngwéi dōu jiāng shòudào fǎlǜ de yánlì zhìcái.
  • English: Any illegal act will be met with severe legal punishment.
  • Analysis: Here, 制裁 refers to legal punishment. 受到 (shòudào) means “to receive” or “to be subjected to.”
• Example 3:
  • 由于兴奋剂问题，该运动员面临着长期禁赛的制裁。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú xīngfènjì wèntí, gāi yùndòngyuán miànlínzhe chángqī jìnsài de zhìcái.
  • English: Due to the doping issue, the athlete faces the sanction of a long-term ban from competition.
  • Analysis: This shows 制裁 used in a formal, non-governmental context (sports).
• Example 4:
  • 美国宣布将制裁几家涉嫌帮助该项目的公司。
  • Pinyin: Měiguó xuānbù jiāng zhìcái jǐ jiā shèxián bāngzhù gāi xiàngmù de gōngsī.
  • English: The United States announced it will sanction several companies suspected of helping the project.
  • Analysis: In this sentence, 制裁 is used as a verb, “to sanction.”
• Example 5:
  • 这次经济制裁对我们国家的出口造成了巨大影响。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì jīngjì zhìcái duì wǒmen guójiā de chūkǒu zàochéngle jùdà yǐngxiǎng.
  • English: These economic sanctions have had a huge impact on our country's exports.
  • Analysis: A clear example of using 制裁 as a noun, modified by “economic” (经济).
• Example 6:
  • 如果他们不遵守协议，我们将采取进一步的制裁措施。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ tāmen bù zūnshǒu xiéyì, wǒmen jiāng cǎiqǔ jìnyībù de zhìcái cuòshī.
  • English: If they do not abide by the agreement, we will adopt further sanction measures.
  • Analysis: 制裁措施 (zhìcái cuòshī) is a common collocation meaning “sanction measures.”
• Example 7:
  • 他因为腐败而受到了应有的制裁。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi fǔbài ér shòudàole yīngyǒu de zhìcái.
  • English: He received the punishment he deserved for his corruption.
  • Analysis: 应有的 (yīngyǒu de) means “deserved” or “due,” implying the sanction was just.
• Example 8:
  • 许多国家呼吁解除对该国的制裁。
  • Pinyin: Xǔduō guójiā hūyù jiěchú duì gāi guó de zhìcái.
  • English: Many countries are calling for the lifting of sanctions on that country.
  • Analysis: 解除 (jiěchú) is the verb often used for “to lift” or “to remove” sanctions.
• Example 9:
  • 单边制裁往往会加剧国际紧张局势。
  • Pinyin: Dānbiān zhìcái wǎngwǎng huì jiājù guójì jǐnzhāng júshì.
  • English: Unilateral sanctions often exacerbate international tensions.
  • Analysis: 单边 (dānbiān) means “unilateral,” a common political term paired with 制裁.
• Example 10:
  • 这家银行因违反反洗钱规定而遭到制裁。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā yínháng yīn wéifǎn fǎn xǐqián guīdìng ér zāodào zhìcái.
  • English: This bank was sanctioned for violating anti-money laundering regulations.
  • Analysis: 遭到 (zāodào) is similar to 受到 (shòudào) but often carries a stronger sense of suffering something negative.

• Mistake 1: Using 制裁 for informal punishment.
  • Incorrect: 妈妈制裁了我，不让我玩电脑游戏。(Māmā zhìcái le wǒ, bù ràng wǒ wán diànnǎo yóuxì.)
  • Reason: This is wrong because a mother's punishment is informal. 制裁 implies a formal authority (like a court or government).
  • Correct: 妈妈惩罚了我，不让我玩电脑游戏。(Māmā chéngfá le wǒ, bù ràng wǒ wán diànnǎo yóuxì.)
  • Key takeaway: Use 惩罚 (chéngfá) for general “punishment,” especially in personal or informal contexts. Use 制裁 for formal, official sanctions. * Mistake 2: Confusing it with the positive meaning of “sanction” in English. * In English, “to sanction” can mean “to give official permission or approval” (e.g., “The committee sanctioned the new plan.”). * The Chinese word 制裁 (zhìcái) has only the negative, punitive meaning. It never means “to approve” or “to permit.” * To express “to approve” or “to authorize,” you would use words like 批准 (pīzhǔn) or 授权 (shòuquán). ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * 惩罚 (chéngfá) - To punish. A more general term that can be used in both formal and informal situations. * 处罚 (chǔfá) - To penalize. Often used for administrative penalties like fines or minor infractions. Less severe than 制裁. * 报复 (bàofù) - To retaliate; revenge. This is often a response to a 制裁. * 禁运 (jìnyùn) - Embargo. A specific type of economic 制裁 that blocks trade. * 封锁 (fēngsuǒ) - To blockade; to seal off. A physical action that can be part of a 制裁 strategy. * 抵制 (dǐzhì) - To boycott. A related concept, but a boycott is typically a voluntary, grassroots action, whereas a 制裁 is an official, top-down order. * 措施 (cuòshī) - Measure; step. A general term for an action taken. Sanctions are a type of 措施. * 法律 (fǎlǜ) - Law. The basis upon which legal 制裁 is carried out. * 批准 (pīzhǔn) - To approve; to ratify. An antonym to the *feeling* of 制裁, and the correct translation for the positive meaning of the English “sanction.”