Translation guide
The concept of karma in Japanese is expressed through several terms, each with different nuances. The most common everyday word is 因果 (inga), referring to cause and effect. 業 (gō) is a Buddhist term for karmic actions and their consequences, often used in phrases like 自業自得 (jigō jitoku, 'you reap what you sow'). 宿命 (shukumei) means fate or destiny, often with a negative connotation. 運命 (unmei) is a more neutral term for fate. 報い (mukui) refers to retribution or recompense, often divine punishment. カルマ (karuma) is a direct loanword used in New Age or casual contexts.
Expressing the idea that actions have consequences, often in a moral or cosmic sense.
What goes around comes around. · You reap what you sow. · Karma will get you.
The most common and direct term for karma as cause and effect. Used in everyday language and proverbs.
Retribution, recompense, or reward for one's actions. Often used in the context of divine punishment or moral consequences.
Referring to the Buddhist doctrine where intentional actions influence future rebirths and experiences.
The Buddhist term for karma, referring to actions and their karmic consequences that bind one to the cycle of rebirth. Often used in religious or philosophical contexts.
Expressing a predetermined, often unfortunate, course of events that feels inescapable.
It was his karma to suffer. · She couldn't escape her karma.
Using the English loanword in casual, spiritual, or pop-culture contexts.
Direct loanword from English, used in New Age spirituality, casual conversation, or when referencing the Western concept of karma.
因果 (inga) is the most general term for cause and effect, used in everyday language and proverbs. 業 (gō) is specifically Buddhist and refers to karmic actions and their spiritual consequences. 宿命 (shukumei) is fate or destiny, often with a negative nuance, and does not necessarily imply a moral cause-and-effect like karma does.
While カルマ (karuma) is understood, it can sound like a foreign concept or New Age jargon. In most natural Japanese contexts, use 因果, 業, or 自業自得 depending on the nuance.
Literally 'one's own deed, one's own gain'. Equivalent to 'you reap what you sow' or 'you made your bed, now lie in it'. Used when someone faces the consequences of their own actions.
It's his own fault that he failed.
悪事の報いを受ける
Receive the consequences of one's evil deeds.
業が深い
Deeply sinful; burdened by heavy karma.
Karma from a previous life.
Karma from past lives; destiny shaped by previous actions. More formal and specifically Buddhist.
Suffer due to karma from past lives.
Fate or destiny, often with a negative or tragic connotation. Implies an inescapable lot in life.
A more neutral term for fate or destiny, not necessarily negative. Can be used for both positive and negative outcomes.
One's destined partner; soulmate.
Cleanse one's karma.
That's bad karma.