Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'get revenge' depends on the nature of the revenge: whether it's personal vengeance, retaliation for an insult, or a more formal settling of scores. The most common and versatile word is 復讐する, but other expressions carry nuances of payback, getting even, or vindication.
To take revenge for a personal harm or injustice, often with strong emotion.
The standard word for 'revenge' or 'vengeance'. It implies a strong desire to retaliate for a serious wrong. Can be used in both casual and formal contexts.
彼は家族の敵に復讐した。
He got revenge on his family's enemy.
I'll get revenge someday, no matter what.
More casual than 復讐する, meaning 'to pay back' or 'to get even'. Often used for minor slights or everyday retaliation.
いたずらされたから仕返ししてやった。
He played a prank on me, so I got revenge on him.
A traditional phrase meaning 'to avenge someone', especially a family member or lord. Often used in historical or dramatic contexts.
彼は父の仇を討った。
He avenged his father.
To retaliate in kind, often for a minor offense or to restore balance.
Literally 'to return (a favor or an insult)'. In the context of revenge, it means 'to give back what one received', often used for minor payback.
この前の仕返しにお返ししてやった。
I got revenge for what he did last time.
A more formal term for 'retaliation' or 'reprisal'. Often used in political, military, or business contexts.
その国は敵の攻撃に報復した。
The country retaliated against the enemy's attack.
A less common term meaning 'to get revenge out of spite' or 'to pay back a grudge'. Implies a personal, often petty, motivation.
彼は昔の恨みで意趣返しをした。
He got revenge out of an old grudge.
To prove oneself right or restore one's reputation after being wronged.
Means 'to clear one's name' or 'to vindicate oneself'. Often used in sports or professional contexts when someone redeems a past failure.
彼は前回の敗戦の雪辱を果たした。
He got revenge for his previous defeat.
A loanword from English, commonly used in casual contexts, especially in sports or games, meaning 'to get a rematch' or 'to get revenge'.
次の試合で絶対リベンジする。
I'll definitely get revenge in the next match.
復讐する is for serious, often dramatic revenge, while 仕返しする is for everyday payback or getting even. Using 復讐する for a minor prank would sound overly dramatic.
彼に騙されたから復讐したい。
He deceived me, so I want revenge.
いたずらされたから仕返しした。
He played a trick on me, so I got even.
Avoid directly translating 'get' as 得る or 手に入れる. The natural way is to use a verb like 復讐する or 仕返しする, or a phrase like 復讐を果たす.