📖 Meaning
The punishment does not fit the crime; the penalty is either too lenient or too severe relative to the offense. It criticizes a mismatch between the severity of punishment and the seriousness of the wrongdoing.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the Warring States period philosopher Xunzi (荀子), specifically from his chapter 'Correcting Doctrines' (正论). Xunzi argued that when virtue does not match one's position, ability does not match one's office, rewards do not match merit, and punishments do not match crimes, no greater misfortune can exist. He emphasized that a well-governed state must ensure penalties correspond proportionally to offenses. The idea became a enduring principle of justice in Chinese political thought.
💡 Example Usage
这件案子量刑过重，明显罚不当罪，律师已提出上诉。
The sentence in this case was excessively harsh, clearly a case of the punishment not fitting the crime, and the lawyer has already filed an appeal.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 罚不当罪
- Pinyin: fá bù dāng zuì
- Literal Translation: punishment, not, match, crime
- Category: Justice
- Characters: 4