Translation guide
The concept of making up for a past mistake, failure, or wrongdoing by doing something good or proving one's worth. In Japanese, this is often expressed through specific verbs and set phrases that emphasize atonement, recovery of honor, or making amends through action.
To express the idea of compensating for a past error by doing something good, often to restore one's reputation or self-esteem.
Literally 'clearing one's sullied name.' Used when someone wants to restore their reputation after a failure or disgrace, often through a notable achievement.
彼は次の試合で活躍して汚名返上した。
He redeemed himself by playing well in the next match.
Means 'to recover one's honor.' Similar to 汚名返上, but focuses more on regaining lost prestige or dignity.
失敗を名誉挽回するチャンスが来た。
A chance to redeem myself for the failure has come.
Literally 'to repay a debt.' Used metaphorically for redeeming oneself by settling a score or making up for a past shortcoming, often in competitive or personal contexts.
前回の負けの借りを返すために全力を尽くした。
I gave it my all to redeem myself for the previous loss.
Loanword from English 'revenge,' commonly used in casual contexts to mean redeeming oneself after a failure, especially in games, sports, or personal challenges.
今度こそリベンジするぞ！
I'll redeem myself this time for sure!
To express the idea of making amends for a sin, crime, or ethical mistake, often involving sincere effort to right the wrong.
A verb meaning 'to atone for' or 'to make amends for.' Used for serious wrongdoings, such as crimes or sins, and implies a sincere effort to compensate.
彼は自分の罪を償うためにボランティア活動を始めた。
He started volunteering to atone for his crime.
Literally 'to destroy one's sins.' A somewhat dramatic phrase for redeeming oneself through good deeds, often used in moral or religious contexts.
罪滅ぼしに寄付をした。
I made a donation to redeem myself.
A formal, literary term for 'to atone' or 'to redeem,' often with religious connotations. Rare in everyday speech.
To express the idea of demonstrating one's value or ability after being underestimated or after a personal setback.
Means 'to prove one's ability.' Used when someone wants to show they are capable after a failure or period of doubt.
彼は新しいプロジェクトで実力を証明した。
He redeemed himself by proving his ability on the new project.
A verb meaning 'to get back at' or 'to show someone up,' but can be used positively to mean redeeming oneself by surpassing expectations, often with a nuance of proving doubters wrong.
今度は成功して、みんなを見返してやる。
I'll succeed this time and redeem myself in everyone's eyes.
Both mean restoring one's reputation, but 汚名返上 emphasizes clearing a bad name (汚名 = stigma), while 名誉挽回 focuses on recovering lost honor (名誉 = honor). 汚名返上 is more common in sports or public failures; 名誉挽回 can be used in broader social contexts.
The English phrase 'redeem oneself' does not have a single direct equivalent. Using 自分を贖う (jibun o aganau) would sound unnatural and overly religious. Choose the expression based on the specific nuance: atonement, reputation recovery, or proving oneself.
キリストは人類の罪を贖ったとされる。
Christ is said to have redeemed the sins of humanity.