Translation guide
The English word 'rebound' can refer to physical bouncing back, emotional recovery, or a relationship that starts soon after a breakup. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
Describing something that bounces back after hitting a surface, like a ball or an object.
Intransitive verb meaning to bounce back or rebound. Commonly used for balls, light, sound, etc.
The ball hit the wall and rebounded.
Transitive verb meaning to bounce something back or repel. Used when a surface or person causes the rebound.
He rebounded the ball.
Loanword from English, used mainly in sports contexts like basketball, or in dieting to mean weight regain.
He grabbed the rebound.
Recovering from a setback, such as a drop in mood, health, or finances.
To recover emotionally or mentally; to get back on one's feet. Often used after a failure or depression.
He rebounded from the heartbreak.
General term for recovery, used for health, economy, etc. More formal than 立ち直る.
The economy rebounded.
To improve after a decline; often used for market prices, condition, or mood.
Starting a new romantic relationship shortly after a breakup, often to distract from pain.
Direct translation of 'rebound relationship'. Widely understood among younger Japanese speakers.
That's just a rebound relationship.
Descriptive phrase meaning 'a romance to heal wounds'. More explanatory than リバウンド関係.
In casual speech, リバウンド can be used as a prefix, e.g., リバウンド彼氏 (rebound boyfriend). Not standard but understood.
I got a rebound boyfriend.
While 跳ね返る is correct for physical bouncing, using it for emotional recovery sounds unnatural. Use 立ち直る or 回復する instead.
He rebounded quickly.
Stock prices rebounded.
She's in a rebound relationship.