Translation guide
The English word 'redress' means to correct or compensate for a wrong, injustice, or imbalance. In Japanese, the appropriate expression depends on whether you are talking about correcting a mistake, compensating for damages, restoring balance, or seeking justice. This guide covers the most common and natural ways to express these ideas.
To fix, remedy, or set right an error, flaw, or undesirable situation.
A formal term meaning to correct or rectify something, often used for social or systemic issues like disparities, injustices, or improper practices.
政府は所得格差を是正する必要がある。
The government needs to redress income inequality.
A general term for making corrections or amendments, suitable for errors in documents, plans, or minor mistakes. Less formal than 是正する.
報告書の誤りを修正した。
I redressed the errors in the report.
To reform or change something for the better, often used for personal behavior, systems, or practices. Implies a conscious effort to improve.
彼は生活態度を改めた。
He redressed his way of living.
To make amends, pay compensation, or provide relief for damage, injury, or suffering.
To compensate for loss, damage, or suffering, often in a legal or financial context. Commonly used for victims of accidents, disasters, or injustices.
会社は被害者に損害を補償した。
The company redressed the victims for their losses.
To pay reparations or indemnify, typically for legal liability or war damages. Stronger and more formal than 補償する.
国は戦争被害に対して賠償した。
The nation redressed the war damages.
To atone for or make up for a wrongdoing, often with a moral or emotional nuance. Can be used for crimes, sins, or personal failures.
To correct an imbalance, inequality, or unfair situation, often in a broader social or abstract sense.
A phrase meaning to restore balance or equilibrium. Suitable for economic, political, or ecological contexts.
政策は貿易不均衡を是正し、均衡を回復することを目指している。
The policy aims to redress the trade imbalance and restore equilibrium.
Literally 'to correct unfairness.' A straightforward way to talk about redressing injustice or inequality.
私たちは社会の不公平を正さなければならない。
We must redress the injustices in society.
To obtain relief, remedy, or justice through formal or legal means.
To provide relief or remedy, often for victims of human rights abuses, disasters, or legal wrongs. Implies helping those in distress.
裁判所は被害者を救済する判決を下した。
The court issued a ruling to redress the victims.
To take corrective measures. Often used in business or regulatory contexts to fix non-compliance or problems.
企業は不祥事に対して是正措置を取った。
The company took measures to redress the scandal.
補償する (hoshō suru) is general compensation for loss or damage, often without fault (e.g., disaster relief). 賠償する (baishō suru) implies legal liability and is used for reparations or damages in a lawsuit. Use 補償 for insurance or aid, and 賠償 for war reparations or court-ordered payments.
地震の被害に対して国が補償した。
The government compensated for the earthquake damage.
戦争賠償として多額の金が支払われた。
A large sum was paid as war redress.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'redress.' Translating it directly as リドレス (ridoresu) is not understood. Always choose the appropriate verb based on the context: correcting, compensating, or restoring.
彼は自分の罪を償うために働いた。
He worked to redress his crime.