Translation guide
The English verb 'repay' covers returning money, reciprocating kindness or harm, and compensating effort. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is being repaid and the nuance.
To give back money that was borrowed or owed.
The standard verb for repaying a loan or debt. Used in financial contexts.
ローンを毎月返済しています。
I repay my loan every month.
A general verb for returning something, including money. More casual than 返済する.
借りたお金を返すのを忘れていた。
I forgot to repay the money I borrowed.
To do something good in return for someone's help or kindness.
Literally 'to return a favor'. The most natural way to express repaying kindness.
いつか必ず恩返しをします。
I will definitely repay your kindness someday.
To repay, reward, or reciprocate. Often used in set phrases like 恩に報いる (repay a kindness). Slightly formal.
ご恩に報いるために努力します。
I will work hard to repay your kindness.
A lighter, more casual way to say 'repay a favor', often for small kindnesses or gifts.
何かお返しをさせてください。
Please let me repay you in some way.
To retaliate or get revenge for a wrong done to you.
To get back at someone, to retaliate. Common for personal revenge.
彼に仕返しをしてやる。
I'll repay him for what he did.
To take revenge. Stronger and more dramatic than 仕返し. Often used in stories.
彼は家族の敵に復讐した。
He repaid his family's enemy.
An idiom meaning 'an eye for an eye', implying repayment in kind. Used in discussions of justice.
目には目をの考え方は問題がある。
The idea of repaying in kind is problematic.
To reward or compensate for effort, often with results or recognition.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be rewarded' or 'to pay off'. Used when effort leads to a good result.
努力が報われて嬉しい。
I'm glad my hard work was repaid.
Transitive verb meaning 'to reward' or 'to repay' effort. Often used in the passive form 報いられる.
To return a visit or phone call.
Specifically for repaying a visit. Can be shortened to お返し in context.
先日のお返しに伺いました。
I came to repay your visit from the other day.
To return a phone call. Literally 'call back'.
後で電話をかけ直します。
I'll repay your call later.
返す is a general verb for returning objects or money. 返済する is specifically for repaying debts or loans and sounds more formal.
While 返す can be used for money, it is not used for repaying favors or kindness. Use 恩返しをする or 報いる instead.
恩を返す is unnatural.
Repay a favor (literal translation, avoid).
恩返しをする is correct.
Repay a favor.
彼の努力は十分に報いられた。
His efforts were fully repaid.