Translation guide
The idea that virtue is rewarded and vice punished, often in an ironic or fitting way, especially in literature or film.
Describing a situation where someone gets what they deserve in a satisfyingly appropriate way, often with irony.
Referring to the narrative technique where characters get their just deserts in a story.
A direct translation of 'poetic justice', used in literary criticism. It is understood but not common in everyday speech.
この小説は詩的正義の好例だ。
This novel is a good example of poetic justice.
因果応報 (inga ouhou) is a broader concept of karmic retribution, often neutral or positive, while 自業自得 (jigou jitoku) is more colloquial and usually implies that the person brought trouble upon themselves. 自業自得 can sound accusatory.
The literal translation 詩的正義 (shiteki seigi) is rarely used outside academic contexts. In conversation, use phrases like 因果応報 or 自業自得 to convey the idea naturally.
A Buddhist-derived term meaning 'retribution for one's actions', often used for poetic justice where good is rewarded and evil punished. It carries a sense of moral cause and effect.
彼の没落は因果応報だ。
His downfall is poetic justice.
Literally 'one's own deeds, one's own rewards', this phrase emphasizes that someone's suffering is a direct result of their own actions. It is often used for negative outcomes and can sound like 'you had it coming'.
彼が罰せられるのは自業自得だ。
It's poetic justice that he gets punished.
Means 'divine punishment' or 'heaven's judgment'. It implies a higher power delivering justice, often used when the outcome seems beyond human control.
彼に起きたことは天罰だと思う。
I think what happened to him is poetic justice.
Means 'deserved retribution' or 'natural consequence'. It is a straightforward way to say that the outcome was fitting.
それは当然の報いだ。
That's poetic justice.