Translation guide
The concept of justice as punishment or payback for wrongdoing, often contrasted with restorative justice. In Japanese, this is expressed through legal terms, philosophical concepts, and everyday expressions about getting what one deserves.
The formal principle that punishment should be proportionate to the crime, as a matter of justice.
The standard translation for 'retributive justice' in legal and philosophical contexts. Combines 応報 (retribution) and 正義 (justice).
応報的正義は、犯罪に対する罰を重視する。
Retributive justice emphasizes punishment for crimes.
Used when emphasizing the judicial system aspect. 司法 means 'judicial administration' or 'justice system'.
応報的司法と修復的司法の違いについて議論した。
We discussed the difference between retributive and restorative justice.
Specifically refers to 'retributive punishment' as a legal penalty. More technical.
応報刑の考え方は、古代から存在する。
The idea of retributive punishment has existed since ancient times.
The common idea that wrongdoers should suffer consequences, often expressed in proverbs or casual speech.
A common saying meaning 'you reap what you sow' or 'you got what you deserved'. Used when someone's misfortune is seen as a natural result of their own actions.
彼が失敗したのは自業自得だ。
His failure is his own fault / He got what he deserved.
Literally 'to be struck by divine punishment'. Used when someone suffers a misfortune seen as punishment for bad behavior, often in a semi-superstitious sense.
The specific principle of proportional retaliation, often referenced in discussions of justice.
The Japanese version of 'an eye for an eye'. Often used to describe retributive justice in a critical or descriptive way.
「目には目を」という考え方は、応報的正義の典型だ。
The 'eye for an eye' concept is a typical example of retributive justice.
A colloquial phrase meaning 'if someone does something to you, do it back to them'. Captures the retaliatory spirit of retributive justice in everyday language.
彼は「やられたらやり返す」が信条だ。
His motto is 'if they hit you, hit them back'.
応報的正義 (retributive justice) focuses on punishment, while 修復的正義 (restorative justice) focuses on repairing harm and reconciliation. In Japanese discourse, these are often contrasted as two opposing philosophies of justice.
応報的正義は罰を、修復的正義は関係の修復を重視する。
Retributive justice emphasizes punishment, while restorative justice emphasizes repairing relationships.
Directly translating 'retributive justice' as 報復的正義 (ほうふくてきせいぎ) is less common and may sound like 'revenge justice'. Stick to 応報的正義 for the established term.
A Buddhist-derived term meaning 'karmic retribution'. Stronger and more fateful than 自業自得. Often used to suggest cosmic justice.
因果応報で、悪いことをした人には必ず報いがある。
By karmic retribution, those who do evil will surely face consequences.
そんなことをすると罰が当たるよ。
You'll be punished (by heaven) if you do that.