Translation guide
The English phrase 'making up' can refer to reconciling after a disagreement, compensating for something, inventing a story, or applying cosmetics. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
To describe two or more people resolving a conflict and restoring a friendly relationship.
The most common and natural way to say 'make up' after a fight. Used for friends, couples, family, etc.
昨日喧嘩したけど、今日仲直りした。
We had a fight yesterday, but we made up today.
I want to make up soon.
Literally 'reconciliation kiss'. Used specifically for romantic couples making up with a kiss.
喧嘩の後、仲直りのキスをした。
After the fight, we kissed and made up.
To make amends, compensate, or do something to offset a previous error or deficiency.
Means to compensate or make up for something, such as a mistake, lost time, or a favor. Can be used in both casual and formal contexts.
遅刻した埋め合わせに、昼食をおごった。
To make up for being late, I treated him to lunch.
この前のミスの埋め合わせをさせてください。
Please let me make up for my previous mistake.
A more formal or serious word for atoning or making up for a wrongdoing. Often used for crimes or major faults.
Means to recover or make up for a loss, often used for time, money, or opportunities.
To create a fictional story, excuse, or lie, often on the spot.
Means to fabricate or make up a story, excuse, or lie. Often carries a negative connotation of dishonesty.
彼は言い訳をでっち上げた。
He made up an excuse.
その話は全部でっち上げだ。
That story is completely made up.
Literally 'to make a story'. A neutral way to say 'make up a story', but can imply fabrication depending on context.
子供たちは自分たちで話を作って遊んだ。
The children made up a story and played.
To apply makeup to the face.
The standard phrase for 'putting on makeup' or 'doing makeup'. Can be used for oneself or others.
毎朝化粧をするのに30分かかる。
It takes me 30 minutes to put on makeup every morning.
Loanword from English 'makeup'. Often used in compound verbs like メイクする (to do makeup) or メイクを落とす (to remove makeup).
今日はメイクのノリがいい。
My makeup looks good today.
Polite prefix form of 化粧. Often used by women or in polite conversation.
ちょっとお化粧を直してきます。
I'll go touch up my makeup a bit.
To be the parts that form something; to compose or constitute.
Means 'to compose' or 'to make up' in the sense of forming a whole. Used for teams, groups, systems, etc.
この委員会は10人のメンバーで構成されている。
This committee is made up of 10 members.
Means 'to account for' or 'to make up' a certain proportion. Often used with percentages or numbers.
女性が参加者の大半を占めている。
Women make up the majority of the participants.
仲直りする is specifically for reconciling a personal relationship after a fight. 埋め合わせをする is for compensating for a mistake, loss, or inconvenience, not necessarily involving a personal conflict.
友達と仲直りした。
I made up with my friend.
遅刻の埋め合わせにコーヒーを買った。
I bought coffee to make up for being late.
作り上げる means 'to complete building something' or 'to fabricate' but is not commonly used for making up a story on the spot. Use でっち上げる or 話を作る instead.
言い訳をでっち上げた。
He made up an excuse.
彼は罪を償うためにボランティアを始めた。
He started volunteering to make up for his crime.
失った時間を取り返すのは難しい。
It's hard to make up for lost time.
A noun meaning 'made-up story' or 'fabrication'. Often used when the story is clearly fictional.
それはただの作り話だよ。
That's just a made-up story.