Translation guide
The English word "reconstruction" can refer to physical rebuilding, historical recreation, or abstract reorganization. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
Expressing the act of rebuilding something that was destroyed or damaged, such as after a disaster.
Commonly used for large-scale recovery and rebuilding, especially after disasters like earthquakes or wars. Often implies not just physical reconstruction but also economic and social recovery.
震災からの復興には長い時間がかかる。
Reconstruction after the earthquake disaster takes a long time.
Focuses on rebuilding a specific structure or organization. Can be used for buildings, companies, or systems.
古い橋の再建工事が始まった。
Reconstruction work on the old bridge has begun.
Refers to restoring something to its original state, often used for infrastructure like roads, power, or water supply after damage.
道路の復旧作業が急ピッチで進められている。
Road reconstruction work is being carried out at a rapid pace.
Describing the act of recreating something from the past based on evidence, such as a building, event, or artifact.
Used for restoring or recreating something to its original form based on research, such as historical buildings, fossils, or ancient tools.
この博物館には恐竜の復元模型が展示されている。
This museum displays a reconstruction model of a dinosaur.
Means to reproduce or recreate a scene, event, or condition. Often used for historical reenactments or scientific experiments.
Referring to the mental or analytical process of piecing together information to form a coherent picture, such as reconstructing a crime or a memory.
Used for reorganizing elements into a new whole, often in academic or analytical contexts. Can apply to memories, data, or theories.
目撃者の証言から事件を再構成する。
Reconstruct the incident from witness testimony.
Also used for abstract reconstruction, especially when trying to restore an original state from fragments, like reconstructing a lost text or a memory.
失われたデータを復元する。
Reconstruct the lost data.
Literally 'rebuild' or 'reassemble'. Used when physically or conceptually putting pieces back together, but less formal than 再構成.
記憶を組み立て直す。
Reconstruct memories.
Referring to surgical procedures that rebuild or restore body parts, such as after an accident or mastectomy.
Commonly used in medical contexts for reconstructive surgery, e.g., breast reconstruction.
乳房再建手術を受けることにした。
I decided to undergo breast reconstruction surgery.
Refers to plastic and reconstructive surgery as a medical field. Often used in hospital department names.
復興 (ふっこう) is for large-scale societal recovery; 再建 (さいけん) is for rebuilding specific structures or organizations; 復旧 (ふっきゅう) is for restoring functionality to damaged systems.
復元 (ふくげん) emphasizes restoring original form based on evidence; 再現 (さいげん) emphasizes recreating a scene or event, often for demonstration or experiment.
当時の生活を再現した展示が人気だ。
The exhibition that reconstructs life from that era is popular.
形成外科で顔の再建手術を行った。
I had facial reconstruction surgery in the plastic surgery department.