代償
Meanings
compensation; reparation; indemnification
Refers to something given or paid to make up for damage, loss, or disadvantage. It is somewhat more abstract and formal than everyday words such as おわび or 埋め合わせ.
Residents who lost their land to the dam construction demanded adequate compensation.
Figurative use for the negative price paid in order to achieve or obtain something, often in the pattern 〜の代償として.
As the price of success, he lost his health.
paying compensation on someone's behalf
Limited use for making compensation or reparation in place of another person. This sense is less common than the general meanings of compensation or cost.
代償 also has a use meaning to make amends on someone else's behalf.
biological compensation; compensatory response
Biology term for an organism, organ, or function making up for loss or impairment elsewhere; often appears in compounds such as 代償性.
When one kidney is lost, compensatory hypertrophy may occur in the remaining kidney.
psychological compensation; substitution
Psychology term for making up for a perceived deficiency or frustration through another behavior, attitude, or achievement.
His aggressive attitude was viewed as compensation for an inferiority complex.
Usage patterns
- 〈事〉の代償としてas the price/cost of ~
As the price of success, he sacrificed a lot of time.
- 代償を求めるto demand compensation
The victim sued, demanding compensation for the damage.
- 〈人〉に代わって代償を払うto pay compensation on someone's behalf
He paid the compensation on his friend's behalf.
- 代償を払うto pay a price/cost
To gain freedom, one must pay a heavy price.