Translation guide
The process of recovering health, strength, or energy after illness, exertion, or stress. In Japanese, the most common and natural way to express this is through the noun 回復 (かいふく), which covers physical, mental, and economic recovery. For rest-focused recuperation, 休養 (きゅうよう) is used. The verb forms 回復する and 休養する are also essential.
Expressing the general process of getting better after illness, injury, or fatigue.
The most common and versatile noun for recovery of health, strength, or condition. Can be used for physical, mental, or economic recovery.
Expressing recuperation in a non-health context, such as financial or emotional recovery.
回復 focuses on the process of getting better, while 休養 emphasizes the rest needed to recover. Use 回復 for measurable recovery (health, economy), and 休養 when talking about taking time off to rest.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'recuperation' in all contexts. Avoid trying to translate it directly; instead, choose the word that fits the specific type of recovery.
病気からの回復には時間がかかる。
Recuperation from illness takes time.
体力の回復を助ける食事。
A diet that aids recuperation of physical strength.
Verb form: to recover, to recuperate. Used for health, strength, or condition.
彼は手術の後、順調に回復している。
He is recuperating well after the surgery.
Rest and recuperation, emphasizing taking a break to recover. Often used for mental or physical fatigue.
十分な休養を取ってください。
Please get plenty of rest and recuperation.
Verb form: to rest and recuperate.
週末は家で休養するつもりだ。
I plan to rest and recuperate at home this weekend.
Medical treatment and recuperation, often over a longer period. Used for serious illnesses or convalescence.
彼は長期の療養が必要だ。
He needs a long period of medical recuperation.
Also used for economic recovery, recovery of trust, etc.
景気の回復はまだ先だ。
Economic recuperation is still a long way off.
To bounce back, to recover from a difficult situation (emotional, financial, etc.). More active nuance than 回復.
彼は失恋から立ち直るのに時間がかかった。
It took him time to recuperate from the heartbreak.