noun
compensation money; reparations; indemnity
Refers to money paid to compensate for damage, loss, or injury. Often used in legal, insurance, or formal contexts.
事故の被害者に弁償金を支払った。
We paid compensation to the accident victim.
弁償金の額は裁判で決められた。
The amount of compensation was decided in court.
補償金 is broader, covering compensation for losses or expenses, not necessarily due to wrongdoing.
Compound of 弁償 (reparation, compensation) + 金 (money). The exact historical derivation is straightforward.