Translation guide
The act of responding to a harm or wrong with a similar action, often in conflict, competition, or personal disputes.
To express the idea of retaliating against a person or group for a perceived wrong, in everyday or serious contexts.
The most common and versatile word for retaliation or getting back at someone, used in personal, social, and sometimes professional contexts. Can be used as a noun or with する.
彼に仕返しをしてやった。
I got back at him.
仕返しされるのが怖い。
I'm afraid of retaliation.
A more formal and serious term for retaliation, often used in legal, political, or military contexts. Implies a calculated response.
テロに対する報復攻撃が行われた。
A retaliatory attack was carried out against the terrorists.
彼は報復を恐れて証言しなかった。
He didn't testify for fear of retaliation.
Literally 'return gift', but often used ironically or euphemistically for retaliation, especially in casual speech. Can sound less aggressive.
やられたら、お返しだ。
If they do something to me, I'll give them a taste of their own medicine.
The 'eye for an eye' principle, often used to justify retaliation. A set phrase from the Bible/legal maxim.
彼は「目には目を」と言って復讐を誓った。
He vowed revenge, saying 'an eye for an eye'.
To describe a player or team responding to a foul, score, or provocation during a match.
A compound verb meaning to do something back to someone, often used for retaliatory actions in sports or personal conflicts. Emphasizes the action of hitting back.
相手チームのラフプレーにやり返した。
They retaliated against the other team's rough play.
The verbal phrase using 仕返し, also common in sports contexts.
彼はファウルに仕返しをして退場になった。
He retaliated against the foul and was sent off.
To refer to retaliatory tariffs, sanctions, or measures between countries or companies.
The standard term for retaliatory measures in economic and diplomatic contexts.
政府は報復措置として関税を引き上げた。
The government raised tariffs as a retaliatory measure.
Countermeasures, often used interchangeably with 報復措置 but can imply a more defensive or balancing response.
EUは対抗措置を発表した。
The EU announced retaliatory measures.
To express a stronger, more emotional desire for payback, often in personal relationships.
Revenge, often with a darker, more emotional connotation than 仕返し. Used for serious personal vendettas.
彼は家族の敵に復讐を誓った。
He swore revenge on his family's enemy.
Historical term for avenging a master or family member, often seen in samurai dramas. Not used in modern everyday speech.
仕返し is the most general and can be used for minor or major retaliation. 報復 is formal and often used in official contexts like law, military, or business. 復讐 implies a deep, emotional desire for revenge, often over a long period.
いたずらの仕返しに靴を隠した。
As retaliation for the prank, I hid his shoes.
サイバー攻撃への報復として制裁を科した。
They imposed sanctions in retaliation for the cyberattack.
彼は裏切った友人に復讐しようとしている。
He is trying to get revenge on the friend who betrayed him.
English 'retaliation' is about responding to a wrong, often in kind. Japanese 報復 and 仕返し fit this. 'Retribution' is more about punishment for moral wrongdoing, which is closer to 天罰 (divine punishment) or 応報 (just deserts). Avoid using 報復 for divine or karmic retribution.
忠臣蔵は仇討ちの物語です。
Chushingura is a story of revenge.