Translation guide
The English word 'reparation' covers compensation for harm, war reparations, and making amends. In Japanese, different terms are used depending on the context: legal/financial compensation, historical war reparations, or personal/moral amends.
To express payment or compensation for damage, injury, or loss, typically in a legal or formal context.
The standard term for legal or financial compensation for damages. Used in contexts like insurance, accidents, and lawsuits.
被害者に賠償金を支払う。
Pay compensation to the victim.
会社は損害賠償を求められた。
The company was sued for damages.
Compensation for loss or damage, often used in contexts like insurance, public works, or government redress. Slightly broader than 賠償, can include non-monetary compensation.
国は被災者に補償を行った。
The government provided compensation to the disaster victims.
Reimbursement or compensation for a specific loss, often used in everyday situations like paying for something you broke.
壊した窓ガラスを弁償する。
Pay for the broken window.
To refer to payments or compensation made by a defeated nation after a war.
Specifically war reparations. Often used in historical and political contexts.
日本は戦争賠償として多額の金を支払った。
Japan paid a large sum as war reparations.
Reparation payment, can be used for war reparations or other compensation payments.
To express the act of making up for a wrong or injury, often in a personal or moral sense.
To make amends or atone for something. Used for personal wrongdoings, sins, or mistakes.
彼は自分の過ちの償いをした。
He made amends for his mistake.
Atonement or redemption, often with religious or profound moral connotations. Less common in daily speech.
彼は贖罪の気持ちから寄付をした。
He made a donation out of a sense of atonement.
These three terms all mean compensation but differ in nuance: - 賠償 (baishō): Legal compensation for damages caused by one's fault (tort). Often involves court orders. - 補償 (hoshō): Compensation for loss or damage, not necessarily due to fault. Used for public projects, eminent domain, or insurance. - 弁償 (benshō): Reimbursement for a specific loss, often in everyday contexts (e.g., paying for something you broke). More casual than the others.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all meanings of 'reparation'. Always choose the term based on context: legal compensation (賠償), war reparations (戦争賠償), or personal amends (償い). Using the wrong term can sound unnatural or confusing.
The reparation payments were completed.