Translation guide
The English word "guarantee" covers several distinct meanings: a formal promise or assurance, a legal warranty for a product, something that makes an outcome certain, and the act of taking responsibility for something. Japanese uses different words and patterns for each.
When you want to express a strong promise that something will happen or is true, often in business or formal contexts.
I guarantee you'll be satisfied. · We guarantee delivery by Friday. · There's no guarantee of success.
The most common noun for a guarantee or assurance. Can be used in many contexts.
成功の保証はありません。
There's no guarantee of success.
彼は私に安全を保証した。
He guaranteed my safety.
The verb form. Used when someone guarantees something.
品質を保証します。
We guarantee the quality.
A slightly more casual verb meaning to guarantee or vouch for something. Often used in spoken language.
Literally "there is no mistake." Used to express certainty, like "I guarantee it" or "you can bet on it."
When talking about a written promise from a manufacturer to repair or replace a product if it has defects.
The TV comes with a one-year guarantee. · Is it still under guarantee? · My guarantee has expired.
Specifically a written warranty document.
保証書をなくさないでください。
Please don't lose the warranty card.
Can also mean warranty in general, often used in compounds like 保証期間 (warranty period).
When you want to say that something is a guarantee of a particular result, often used in phrases like "a guarantee of success" or "no guarantee."
Hard work is no guarantee of success. · A college degree is not a guarantee of a job.
Pattern meaning "there is no guarantee that..."
努力すれば成功するという保証はない。
There's no guarantee that hard work will lead to success.
Pattern meaning "to be a guarantee of..."
学歴が就職の保証になるとは限らない。
A degree doesn't necessarily guarantee a job.
When someone guarantees to pay a debt or take responsibility if something goes wrong, often in financial or legal contexts.
I'll guarantee the loan. · The bank requires a guarantor.
A guarantor, someone who guarantees another person's obligation.
ローンの保証人になってくれませんか。
Could you be a guarantor for my loan?
The verb for guaranteeing a debt or obligation.
彼は私の借金を保証してくれた。
He guaranteed my debt.
These three words are all pronounced ほしょう but have different meanings. 保証 is a guarantee or assurance (like a warranty). 保障 is security or protection of rights/status (e.g., 社会保障 social security). 補償 is compensation for loss or damage (e.g., 損害補償 compensation for damages). Be careful not to mix them up.
While 保証する is correct, in casual conversation Japanese speakers often use phrases like 間違いない or 絶対 (absolutely) to express strong certainty instead of a literal 'guarantee.' Using 保証する in everyday chat can sound overly formal or stiff.
I guarantee his success.
I guarantee that ramen shop is good.
This product comes with a one-year guarantee.
Quality assurance or guarantee. Often used in manufacturing contexts.
品質保証部門に連絡してください。
Please contact the quality assurance department.
A joint guarantor, often required for rental contracts in Japan.
アパートを借りるには連帯保証人が必要です。
You need a joint guarantor to rent an apartment.