Translation guide
Describes damage, loss, or mistakes that cannot be fixed or undone. Japanese uses different expressions depending on whether the focus is on physical repair, emotional recovery, or the finality of a situation.
The speaker wants to say that something is broken beyond physical repair.
A straightforward compound meaning 'repair impossible'. Used for machines, devices, or physical items that cannot be fixed.
このスマホは修理不可能です。
This smartphone is irreparable.
The negative potential form of 直す (to fix). Very common in speech. Means 'cannot fix'.
この時計はもう直せない。
This watch is irreparable now.
Similar to 修理不可能 but often used for larger-scale restoration, like buildings or artworks.
地震で橋が修復不可能になった。
The bridge became irreparable due to the earthquake.
The speaker wants to express that a mistake or damage to a relationship is permanent and cannot be taken back.
Literally 'cannot be taken back'. The most natural way to say something is irreparable in terms of consequences. Used for mistakes, lost opportunities, or ruined relationships.
彼の失言は取り返しがつかない結果を招いた。
His slip of the tongue led to irreparable consequences.
もう取り返しがつかないところまで来ている。
Things have already reached an irreparable point.
Means 'cannot return to the original state'. Used for situations or relationships that are permanently changed.
二人の関係はもう元に戻せない。
Their relationship is irreparable now.
A technical term meaning 'irreversible'. Used in formal or academic contexts, such as describing irreversible processes or decisions.
The speaker wants to describe a deep, often emotional loss that cannot be compensated or healed.
Means 'cannot be compensated for'. Used for losses that cannot be made up for, such as time, trust, or life.
失った時間は埋め合わせができない。
Lost time is irreparable.
Literally 'recovery impossible'. Often used in medical or psychological contexts for irreversible conditions or trauma.
彼は回復不能のダメージを負った。
He suffered irreparable damage.
Use 修理不可能 for physical objects that cannot be fixed. Use 取り返しがつかない for mistakes, actions, or situations that cannot be undone. Mixing them up can sound unnatural.
パソコンが修理不可能だ。
The computer is irreparable.
あの時の選択は取り返しがつかない。
That choice back then is irreparable.
The English word 'irreparable' is often translated directly as 不可修復, but this is not commonly used in natural Japanese. Instead, choose a phrase that matches the context: physical repair, undoing a mistake, or compensating for loss.
この決定は不可逆的な影響を与える。
This decision will have an irreparable impact.