pénal

penal

adjective pay-NAHL Rare

Origin: Latin 'poenalis' (relating to punishment)

Also means

criminal (law)

Usage Note

Pénal is a legal term: le droit pénal is criminal law, le code pénal is the penal code. The plural masculine is pénaux (not pénals). It differs from pénible ('tedious, painful') which learners sometimes confuse it with. The noun peine ('penalty, punishment') shares the same root.

Examples

"Le code pénal prévoit une peine d'emprisonnement."

Natural Translation

The penal code provides for a prison sentence.

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