Translation guide
The English verb 'reconstruct' can mean to rebuild something physically, to recreate an event or situation from evidence, or to restore something to an earlier state. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
To build again something that was damaged or destroyed, like a building, bridge, or city.
The most common and general word for rebuilding structures or organizations. It implies restoring something to its former state.
地震で壊れた家を再建する。
I will rebuild the house that was destroyed in the earthquake.
Literally 'rebuild', used for buildings. Slightly more concrete than 再建する.
古い校舎を建て直す計画がある。
There is a plan to rebuild the old school building.
Used for large-scale reconstruction, especially after disasters, focusing on revival of a community or area.
被災地の復興には時間がかかる。
Reconstructing the disaster area takes time.
To form a picture or account of something that happened in the past by piecing together information.
To recreate or reproduce a scene, event, or conditions. Common in police work, science, and media.
警察は事故の状況を再現した。
The police reconstructed the circumstances of the accident.
To restore or reconstruct something to its original form, often based on research or fragments. Used for historical artifacts, fossils, or digital data.
考古学者が古代の壺を復元した。
The archaeologist reconstructed the ancient pot.
Literally 'assemble'. Can be used metaphorically to reconstruct a story or theory from pieces of information.
To bring back a system, relationship, or condition that existed before.
To rebuild or reform an organization, life, or system that has declined. Focuses on recovery.
会社の経営を立て直す必要がある。
We need to reconstruct the company's management.
Formal term for restructuring or rebuilding systems, theories, or relationships. Often used in academic or business contexts.
理論を再構築する。
Reconstruct the theory.
Specifically for restoring services or infrastructure (e.g., power, water, transport) after a disruption.
停電から復旧するまでに数時間かかった。
It took several hours to reconstruct (restore) power after the outage.
再建 is used for individual buildings or organizations, while 復興 is for broader regional or societal recovery, often after a disaster.
再現 focuses on recreating an event or process (like a crime scene), while 復元 is about restoring a physical object or data to its original form.
証言から事件の経緯を組み立てる。
Reconstruct the sequence of events from testimonies.