Translation guide
A prize given to someone who has not won, to make them feel better about losing or not coming first. In Japanese, this is most commonly expressed with the noun 残念賞, but there are also related terms for runner-up prizes and metaphorical uses.
A prize given to a participant who did not win, often as a gesture of sympathy or encouragement.
The standard term for a consolation prize in contests, games, or competitions. Literally 'regret prize'.
Something that serves as a small comfort or compensation for a failure or loss, not necessarily a physical prize.
A phrase meaning 'a small consolation' or 'the only comfort'. Used when something good comes out of a bad situation.
試合には負けたが、せめてもの慰めに、彼は自己ベストを出した。
He lost the match, but as a small consolation, he achieved a personal best.
残念賞 is specifically for those who did not win, while 参加賞 is given to all participants regardless of performance. In many casual events, 参加賞 is more common because everyone gets something.
Do not translate 'consolation prize' word-for-word as 慰めの賞品. It sounds unnatural. Use 残念賞 for the literal prize, or せめてもの慰め for the metaphorical sense.
彼は残念賞をもらった。
He received a consolation prize.
ビンゴゲームで残念賞としてティッシュをもらいました。
I got a box of tissues as a consolation prize at the bingo game.
A participation prize given to everyone who enters, not necessarily tied to losing. Often used for small gifts at events.
マラソン大会で参加賞のタオルをもらった。
I received a towel as a participation prize at the marathon.
A booby prize, often given to the last-place finisher or the one just before last. Humorous and informal.
最下位だったけど、ブービー賞でお菓子をもらった。
I came in last, but I got some snacks as a booby prize.
Something that is just a temporary comfort or a placebo; often implies it doesn't really solve the problem.
その言葉は単なる気休めに過ぎなかった。
Those words were nothing more than a consolation.
General word for consolation or comfort. Can be used in various contexts.
彼女の優しい言葉が慰めになった。
Her kind words were a consolation.