Translation guide
Money given to comfort someone after a loss, injury, or hardship. In Japanese, the specific term depends on the context: legal settlements, personal apologies, or condolence gifts.
Money paid to settle a dispute or compensate for damages, often in legal or formal contexts.
Standard term for monetary compensation for emotional distress or pain and suffering, especially in legal settlements (e.g., divorce, accidents).
She received 5 million yen as consolation money in the divorce settlement.
Money paid in an out-of-court settlement, often to avoid a lawsuit. Implies a private agreement.
One million yen was paid as settlement money for the accident.
General term for compensation or reparations, often for damages. Broader than 慰謝料, can include property damage.
The company paid compensation to the victims.
Money given as a personal gesture to apologize or make amends, not necessarily legal.
Money given as an apology, often in personal disputes or minor offenses. Carries a sense of sincerity.
He gave 10,000 yen as apology money for the trouble he caused.
Money given to compensate for inconvenience or trouble caused. Less formal than 慰謝料, often used in everyday situations.
Money given to a bereaved family to help with funeral expenses or as a gesture of sympathy.
A formal payment to express sympathy, often from an organization after an accident or disaster.
Money given to someone who is ill, injured, or has suffered a disaster. Can be from an employer, insurance, or as a personal gift.
The company provided a sympathy payment for my hospitalization.
Condolence money paid by an employer or organization to the family of a deceased employee. More formal than 香典.
慰謝料 is a legal term for compensation for emotional distress, often determined by a court or settlement. お詫び金 is a more personal, informal apology payment, not necessarily legally binding.
When giving 香典, use special envelopes (不祝儀袋) and crisp, new bills. The amount depends on your relationship to the deceased. Avoid even numbers divisible by 4 (四, shi) as it sounds like death.
I gave some compensation money as an apology for the noise.
遺族に弔慰金が支給された。
Condolence money was paid to the bereaved family.