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Words Kanji Guides About

償い (つぐない) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

償つぐない

つ

ぐ

な

い

Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

noun

compensation; reparation; atonement

Refers to making amends for a wrong, loss, or sin, often through payment, service, or suffering. Can be used in legal, moral, and personal contexts.

彼かれは罪つみの償つぐないとして社しゃ会かい奉ほう仕しをした。
He did community service as atonement for his crime.

被ひ害がい者しゃへの償つぐないの気き持もちを忘わすれてはいけない。

You must not forget the feeling of wanting to make amends to the victim.

Written forms

償つぐないUsage71%
Standard kanji spelling; the reading つぐない is the only one given.
つぐないUsage29%

Kanji

償reparation, make up for, recompense

Similar words

賠ばい償しょう
賠償 is more formal and legal, focusing on monetary compensation for damages, while 償い is broader and includes moral or emotional reparation.
補ほ償しょう
補償 emphasizes making up for a loss or deficiency, often financially, whereas 償い carries a stronger sense of atonement for wrongdoing.

Etymology

The noun form of the verb 償う (つぐなう), meaning to compensate or atone. The kanji 償 combines 亻 (person) and 賞 (prize, reward), suggesting a person making restitution.