Translation guide
The concept of punishment inflicted by a deity or supernatural force, often for moral or religious transgressions. In Japanese, this is expressed through specific terms rooted in Buddhism, Shinto, and general religious vocabulary, as well as idiomatic expressions.
Expressing the idea of punishment from a god or heaven for wrongdoing, often in a moral or religious context.
The most common and direct term for divine punishment, implying heaven's judgment. Used in both religious and figurative contexts.
He received divine punishment.
You'll be punished by heaven if you do that.
Specifically punishment from a god or deity. Slightly more formal and less common in everyday speech than 天罰.
Fear divine punishment.
Punishment from Buddha or a Buddhist deity. Used in Buddhist contexts.
Buddha's punishment descends.
Emphasizing the cause-and-effect nature of divine punishment, often across lifetimes, rooted in Buddhist philosophy.
A Buddhist term meaning 'karmic retribution' or 'what goes around comes around'. It implies that good and bad deeds inevitably bring corresponding results, often seen as a form of divine justice.
As karmic retribution, he received punishment.
Karma; the accumulated consequences of past actions. Often used in phrases like 業が深い (deep karma) implying inevitable suffering or punishment.
Describes a person or act that invites divine punishment; 'blasphemous' or 'cursed'. Often used to scold someone for disrespectful behavior.
Expressing that wrongdoing naturally leads to suffering or downfall, often without explicit divine intervention.
Literally 'one's own deed, one's own gain'. Means 'you reap what you sow' or 'you deserve it'. Often used when someone suffers as a result of their own actions, implying a kind of natural justice.
His failure is his own fault (he deserved it).
Literally 'rust from one's own body'. An idiom meaning that one's misfortune is of one's own making; a self-inflicted punishment.
His misfortune is his own doing.
Focusing on the active, often destructive aspect of divine punishment, like a curse or the wrath of a god.
A curse or divine retribution, often from a vengeful spirit or god. Common in Shinto and folk beliefs. Can refer to the punishment itself or the source.
They say there's a curse if you destroy a shrine.
His illness is a curse (divine punishment).
Literally 'wrath of god'. A direct phrase for divine anger leading to punishment.
Incurred the wrath of god.
天罰 (tenbatsu) is the most general term for divine punishment from heaven, used in everyday language. 神罰 (shinbatsu) specifies punishment from a god, and is more formal. 仏罰 (butsubatsu) is specifically Buddhist punishment. For most situations, 天罰 is the best choice.
Direct translations like '神の罰' (kami no batsu) are understandable but not idiomatic. Use the established terms above for natural Japanese.
You cannot escape karmic retribution.
His suffering is karma from a past life.
Don't say such blasphemous things (you'll be punished).