Translation guide
The English word "recompense" can mean compensation, reward, or repayment. In Japanese, the best choice depends on whether you are talking about financial compensation, a reward for effort, or making amends.
financial recompense
General term for payment or reward for services.
To express payment, compensation, or reimbursement for work done or loss suffered.
General term for remuneration, compensation, or reward for services. Commonly used in business contexts.
He received adequate recompense for the work.
Compensation or reparation, especially for damages, loss, or injury. Often used in legal or insurance contexts.
Compensation or indemnity, often for loss, damage, or inconvenience. Similar to 賠償 but can be broader.
Compensation or price paid, often in a figurative sense (e.g., paying the price for a mistake). Can imply a sacrifice.
To express a reward, return, or something given in recognition of effort or good actions.
Reward, recompense, or retribution (can be positive or negative depending on context). Often used in moral or karmic contexts.
His kindness received good recompense.
Return gift, reciprocation, or recompense for a favor. Often used in social contexts.
Reward, honorarium, or token of gratitude. Often monetary, given for a service or favor.
Repayment of a debt of gratitude; returning a favor. More about moral obligation than material recompense.
To express making up for a mistake, offense, or harm done.
To make amends, atone, or compensate for a wrongdoing. The noun 償い (つぐない) means atonement or recompense.
He made recompense for his crime.
Compensation, making up for a loss or mistake. Often used in personal relationships or business.
Reimbursement or compensation for loss or damage, often monetary. Used when you break or lose something.
報酬 is payment for work or services. 賠償 is compensation for damages (often legal). 補償 is broader compensation for loss or inconvenience.
Directly translating 'recompense' as 報酬 in all contexts can sound unnatural. Choose the word that matches the specific nuance: payment, reward, or amends.
被害者は損害の賠償を求めた。
The victim sought recompense for the damages.
会社は遅延に対する補償を提供した。
The company provided recompense for the delay.
成功の代償は大きかった。
The recompense for success was great.
彼はお世話の返礼として贈り物をした。
He gave a gift as recompense for the help.
講演の謝礼を受け取った。
I received recompense for the lecture.
I want to recompense you someday.
As recompense for being late, I treated him to lunch.
壊した窓の弁償をした。
I made recompense for the broken window.