Translation guide
The English verb "restore" covers several distinct meanings, from bringing back a previous state to repairing physical objects. Japanese uses different words depending on what is being restored and how.
To return something to an earlier, often better, condition (e.g., health, order, confidence, system).
General term for recovery or restoration of an abstract state like health, trust, or economic conditions. Often used intransitively (〜が回復する) or transitively (〜を回復する).
彼は健康を回復した。
He restored his health.
信頼を回復するのは難しい。
Restoring trust is difficult.
Specifically for restoring systems, services, or infrastructure after a failure or disaster (e.g., power, internet, transportation).
停電から電力が復旧した。
Power was restored after the blackout.
システムを復旧するのに数時間かかった。
It took several hours to restore the system.
Casual, versatile verb meaning 'to put back' or 'return to a previous state'. Often used for settings, positions, or simple reversals.
Implies revival or resurrection, often used for traditions, brands, or things that were dead/defunct. Stronger than 回復.
その伝統が復活した。
The tradition was restored/revived.
To fix and return an object (art, furniture, building) to its original condition.
Used for careful restoration of art, historical buildings, or damaged items, emphasizing returning to original state.
その絵画は専門家によって修復された。
The painting was restored by an expert.
To return a right, position, or possession to someone.
Also used for restoring abstract rights or statuses (e.g., citizenship, freedom).
彼は自由を回復した。
He was restored to freedom.
To give someone back their job, title, or role.
Specifically for reinstating someone to their former job or post.
会社は彼を復職させた。
The company restored him to his position.
To retrieve and reinstate digital data or system state from a backup.
Standard IT term for restoring data, files, or system state from a backup.
バックアップからデータを復元する。
Restore data from a backup.
Loanword from English 'restore', commonly used in IT contexts, especially in software interfaces.
回復 (かいふく) is for abstract states like health or trust. 復旧 (ふっきゅう) is for services and infrastructure. 復元 (ふくげん) is for physical reconstruction or data restoration. Using the wrong one can sound unnatural.
健康が回復した (○) / 健康が復旧した (×)
Health was restored (correct) / Health was restored (incorrect word)
リストアする is only for digital restoration. Using it for physical objects or abstract states will cause confusion.
Please restore the settings to their original state.
彼は家具を元の場所に戻した。
He restored the furniture to its original place.
a project to restore an old temple
Focuses on reconstructing or recreating the original form, often from ruins or fragments. Common for archaeological or digital restoration.
遺跡をコンピューターで復元する。
To restore ruins using a computer.
General repair, not necessarily to original condition. More about fixing functionality. Can overlap with 'restore' for simple objects.
彼は古い時計を修理した。
He restored/repaired the old clock.
Formal term for returning territory, property, or rights to the original owner, often in legal/political contexts.
その土地は元の所有者に返還された。
The land was restored to its original owner.
To take back or regain something lost, often through effort. Can be used for both concrete and abstract things.
彼は財産を取り戻した。
He restored his fortune.
For restoring a monarch or person of rank to their throne/title. Rare, historical.
王は復位した。
The king was restored to the throne.
システムをリストアしてください。
Please restore the system.