Translation guide
The English word "consequences" refers to the results or effects of an action, often with a negative or serious implication. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent; the best choice depends on whether you mean neutral results, negative outcomes, responsibility, or logical implications.
To express that an action led to bad or serious outcomes, often implying punishment, damage, or an undesirable situation.
The most general word for 'result' or 'outcome'. It can be neutral, but in context it often carries the weight of 'consequences'. Use with adjectives like 悪い (bad) or 深刻な (serious) to emphasize negativity.
The consequences of his actions were serious.
Refers to 'retribution' or 'payback' for one's deeds, often in a moral or karmic sense. Stronger than 結果, implying deserved negative consequences.
Means 'punishment'. Use when consequences are specifically punitive, like a penalty or sanction.
Colloquial term for 'the bill' or 'the price to pay', used metaphorically for facing consequences of past actions.
To describe the inevitable or expected results of a situation, decision, or condition, without necessarily negative moral weight.
Again, the default choice. In neutral contexts, it simply means 'outcome' or 'consequence'.
To express that someone must bear or accept the results of their actions, often used in warnings or statements of accountability.
Means 'to take responsibility'. This is the most common way to say someone will face the consequences in a formal or serious context.
To caution someone that their actions will lead to negative results, often in a conditional or threatening tone.
A common warning pattern: 'If you don't ~, something terrible will happen / there will be consequences.'
English 'consequences' often implies negativity, but Japanese 結果 is neutral. To convey the negative nuance, you usually need to add 悪い (bad) or use a different expression like 報い or 罰, depending on context.
結果 is the direct result of an action; 影響 is the broader impact or influence that result has on other things. Use 影響 when talking about ripple effects or indirect consequences.
His actions had serious consequences.
It brought about bad consequences.
悪事の報いを受けた。
He faced the consequences of his misdeeds.
As a consequence of being late, I was made to clean.
The consequences of partying too much have caught up with me.
The consequences of my efforts showed.
Means 'influence' or 'effect'. Use when consequences are about the impact on something else, often in a chain of events.
The consequences of that policy were far-reaching.
Literally 'natural result', used to say something was a predictable or deserved consequence.
His failure was a natural consequence.
I will take responsibility for the consequences of this failure.
Literally 'to clean up afterwards', meaning to deal with the messy consequences of something.
We have to deal with the consequences of the problem he caused.
Pattern meaning 'to bear the responsibility for ~'. More formal than 責任を取る.
The driver bears the consequences of the accident.
If you don't study properly, there will be consequences.
Literally 'I don't care what happens', used as a warning that the speaker won't be responsible for the bad consequences.
If you do that, don't come crying to me about the consequences.
You must accept the consequences of your decision.