Translation guide
The English phrase "patching up" can refer to repairing physical objects, mending relationships, or providing temporary fixes. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning, from literal mending to figurative reconciliation.
To mend or fix a tear, hole, or damaged area in fabric or similar material.
A general verb for mending or repairing clothes, often by stitching. Suitable for everyday use.
My mother patched up the tear in my jeans.
Literally 'to apply a patch', used when attaching a piece of fabric to cover a hole or reinforce an area.
He patched up the elbow area.
A broad term for repairing or fixing something, not limited to fabric. Can be used for patching up objects in general.
I patched up the old chair and am using it.
To repair a strained or broken relationship, often after a disagreement.
The most common way to say 'to make up' or 'to reconcile' after a fight. Used for personal relationships.
After the fight, the two quickly patched things up.
A more formal expression meaning 'to repair a relationship'. Suitable for serious or professional contexts.
Means 'to reconcile' or 'to settle', often used in legal or formal disputes. Less common for everyday personal arguments.
To repair something quickly or temporarily, often with the implication that it's not a permanent solution.
Means 'to give first-aid treatment' or 'to apply a temporary fix'. Used for both medical and non-medical situations.
I patched up the flat tire and drove to the nearest gas station.
Means 'to make do' or 'to manage temporarily'. Implies a makeshift solution using available resources.
Literally 'to get by for the moment', often with a negative nuance of a stopgap measure that doesn't solve the underlying problem.
The English phrase 'patch up' is often used figuratively. Direct translations like 'パッチする' are not natural in Japanese. Use the context-appropriate expressions above.
A meeting was held to patch up relations between the two countries.
After years of conflict, they patched things up.
I patched up the broken door with tape.
A patch-up job like that will probably break again soon.