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.
彼は天罰が下ったのだ。
He received divine punishment.
そんなことをすると天罰が当たるよ。
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.
神罰を恐れる。
Fear divine punishment.
Punishment from Buddha or a Buddhist deity. Used in Buddhist contexts.
仏罰が下る。
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.
因果応報で、彼は罰を受けた。
As karmic retribution, he received punishment.
因果応報は逃れられない。
You cannot escape karmic retribution.
Karma; the accumulated consequences of past actions. Often used in phrases like 業が深い (deep karma) implying inevitable suffering or punishment.
彼の苦しみは前世の業だ。
His suffering is karma from a past life.
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.
彼が失敗したのは自業自得だ。
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.
彼の不幸は身から出た錆だ。
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.
神社を壊すと祟りがあると言われている。
They say there's a curse if you destroy a shrine.
彼の病気は祟りだ。
His illness is a curse (divine punishment).
Literally 'wrath of god'. A direct phrase for divine anger leading to punishment.
神の怒りに触れた。
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.
そんな罰当たりなことを言うな。
Don't say such blasphemous things (you'll be punished).