Translation guide
The act of making peace, reconciling, or mediating between conflicting parties. In Japanese, the most common and natural way to express this concept depends on the context: formal dispute resolution, interpersonal reconciliation, or workplace mediation.
Referring to a structured process of resolving disputes, often in legal, labor, or official contexts.
The standard term for formal mediation or conciliation, especially in legal or labor disputes. It implies a neutral third party helping both sides reach an agreement.
労働争議は調停によって解決された。
The labor dispute was resolved through conciliation.
裁判所が調停を勧めた。
The court recommended conciliation.
Arbitration, where a third party makes a binding decision. Slightly different from conciliation, but often used in similar contexts. More authoritative than 調停.
国際紛争の仲裁に入る。
To enter into arbitration of an international dispute.
Settlement or reconciliation, often used in legal contexts when parties reach an agreement, sometimes through conciliation. Focuses on the result rather than the process.
両者は和解に達した。
The two parties reached a settlement.
Referring to the act of reconciling after a disagreement or restoring friendly relations between individuals.
The most common and natural word for making up after a quarrel. Used in everyday situations between friends, family, or couples.
喧嘩したけど、すぐに仲直りした。
We had a fight, but we made up right away.
仲直りのきっかけを作る。
To create an opportunity for reconciliation.
Can also be used for personal reconciliation, but sounds more formal and serious than 仲直り. Often implies a deeper conflict or a formal agreement.
An idiomatic phrase meaning to settle a dispute or make peace, often used in business or traditional contexts. Literally 'to clap hands' as a sign of agreement.
この件は手打ちにしよう。
Let's settle this matter (and make peace).
Referring to conciliation in a professional setting, such as resolving conflicts between employees or departments.
Adjustment or coordination; often used when mediating differing opinions or interests to reach a compromise. Less formal than 調停, common in business.
部署間の意見の調整を図る。
To seek conciliation of opinions between departments.
To reach a compromise or find a middle ground. Implies mutual concession and conciliation.
双方が折り合いをつけて、プロジェクトを進めた。
Both sides reached a compromise and moved the project forward.
Referring to the abstract idea of conciliation or the act of appeasing someone.
Winning someone over or placating them, often by persuasion or concessions. Can have a slightly negative nuance of manipulation.
反対派を懐柔する。
To conciliate the opposition.
Appeasement or conciliation, often used in political or diplomatic contexts. Implies calming tensions.
宥和政策を取る。
To adopt a policy of conciliation.
調停 (chōtei) is mediation where a third party helps parties reach a voluntary agreement. 仲裁 (chūsai) is arbitration where the third party makes a binding decision. 和解 (wakai) is the settlement or reconciliation itself, which can result from either process.
The English word 'conciliation' is often translated directly as 調停, but in everyday situations, 仲直り or 調整 are much more natural. Using 調停 for a simple make-up between friends would sound overly formal and legalistic.
After years of discord, the two reconciled.