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).
彼女は離婚の慰謝料として500万円を受け取った。
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.
事故の示談金として100万円が支払われた。
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.
会社は被害者に賠償金を支払った。
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.
彼は迷惑をかけたお詫び金として1万円を渡した。
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.
騒音のお詫びに迷惑料を包んだ。
I gave some compensation money as an apology for the noise.
Money given to a bereaved family to help with funeral expenses or as a gesture of sympathy.
Money offered at a funeral or wake, placed in a special envelope. Standard practice in Japan.
香典として5千円を包んだ。
I put 5,000 yen in a condolence envelope.
Polite form of 香典, commonly used in speech.
お香典はいくら包めばいいですか？
How much should I give as condolence money?
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.
会社から入院の見舞金が出た。
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.
遺族に弔慰金が支給された。
Condolence money was paid to the bereaved family.