Translation guide
The English word "consequences" refers to the results or effects of an action, often with a negative or serious implication. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent; the best choice depends on whether you mean neutral results, negative outcomes, responsibility, or logical implications.
To express that an action led to bad or serious outcomes, often implying punishment, damage, or an undesirable situation.
The most general word for 'result' or 'outcome'. It can be neutral, but in context it often carries the weight of 'consequences'. Use with adjectives like 悪い (bad) or 深刻な (serious) to emphasize negativity.
彼の行動の結果は深刻だった。
The consequences of his actions were serious.
悪い結果を招いた。
It brought about bad consequences.
Refers to 'retribution' or 'payback' for one's deeds, often in a moral or karmic sense. Stronger than 結果, implying deserved negative consequences.
悪事の報いを受けた。
He faced the consequences of his misdeeds.
Means 'punishment'. Use when consequences are specifically punitive, like a penalty or sanction.
遅刻の罰として掃除をさせられた。
As a consequence of being late, I was made to clean.
Colloquial term for 'the bill' or 'the price to pay', used metaphorically for facing consequences of past actions.
遊びすぎたつけが回ってきた。
The consequences of partying too much have caught up with me.
To describe the inevitable or expected results of a situation, decision, or condition, without necessarily negative moral weight.
Again, the default choice. In neutral contexts, it simply means 'outcome' or 'consequence'.
努力の結果が出た。
The consequences of my efforts showed.
Means 'influence' or 'effect'. Use when consequences are about the impact on something else, often in a chain of events.
Literally 'natural result', used to say something was a predictable or deserved consequence.
彼が失敗したのは当然の結果だ。
His failure was a natural consequence.
To express that someone must bear or accept the results of their actions, often used in warnings or statements of accountability.
Means 'to take responsibility'. This is the most common way to say someone will face the consequences in a formal or serious context.
この失敗の責任は私が取ります。
I will take responsibility for the consequences of this failure.
Literally 'to clean up afterwards', meaning to deal with the messy consequences of something.
彼が起こした問題の後始末をしなければならない。
We have to deal with the consequences of the problem he caused.
Pattern meaning 'to bear the responsibility for ~'. More formal than 責任を取る.
事故の責任を負うのは運転手だ。
The driver bears the consequences of the accident.
To caution someone that their actions will lead to negative results, often in a conditional or threatening tone.
A common warning pattern: 'If you don't ~, something terrible will happen / there will be consequences.'
ちゃんと勉強しないと大変なことになるよ。
If you don't study properly, there will be consequences.
Literally 'I don't care what happens', used as a warning that the speaker won't be responsible for the bad consequences.
そんなことをしたら、どうなっても知らないよ。
If you do that, don't come crying to me about the consequences.
English 'consequences' often implies negativity, but Japanese 結果 is neutral. To convey the negative nuance, you usually need to add 悪い (bad) or use a different expression like 報い or 罰, depending on context.
結果 is the direct result of an action; 影響 is the broader impact or influence that result has on other things. Use 影響 when talking about ripple effects or indirect consequences.
彼の行動は深刻な結果をもたらした。
His actions had serious consequences.
自分の決断の結果を受け入れなければならない。
You must accept the consequences of your decision.
その政策の影響は広範囲に及んだ。
The consequences of that policy were far-reaching.