Translation guide
The concept of retribution in Japanese is often expressed through words related to karma, divine punishment, or revenge, depending on the context. The most common and natural way to express the idea of facing consequences for one's actions is through the Buddhist-derived term 罰 (batsu) or 天罰 (tenbatsu). For more nuanced or literary contexts, words like 報い (mukui) or 因果応報 (inga ouhou) are used. Direct translations like 'retribution' can sound overly dramatic or unnatural in casual speech.
Expressing that someone receives deserved punishment or negative outcome as a result of their own bad deeds, often with a sense of cosmic or moral justice.
General term for punishment or penalty, often used in the sense of retribution when it's seen as a natural consequence. Very common and neutral.
悪いことをすると罰が当たる。
If you do bad things, you'll be punished (retribution will come).
彼は自分のしたことの罰を受けた。
He received punishment for what he did.
Recompense or reward, but often used in negative sense as 'retribution' or 'just deserts'. Carries a stronger moral or karmic nuance than 罰.
それは当然の報いだ。
That's just retribution. / He had it coming.
悪行の報いを受ける。
To receive retribution for one's evil deeds.
A Buddhist term meaning 'karmic retribution' or 'what goes around comes around'. Used in both serious and casual contexts to express the idea that good and bad deeds have corresponding consequences.
因果応報だね。
What goes around comes around, huh.
彼の失敗は因果応報だ。
His failure is karmic retribution.
Divine punishment or heaven's judgment. Used when retribution is seen as coming from a higher power or fate, often in dramatic or emphatic contexts.
Retribution or retaliation, often used in legal or philosophical contexts. Less common in everyday speech.
応報刑は犯罪に対する報いとして刑罰を与える。
Retributive justice imposes punishment as retribution for crime.
Expressing retribution in the sense of personal vengeance or getting even, often with a negative or aggressive connotation.
Revenge, vengeance. Strongly implies a personal, often violent, act of retaliation. Common in stories and dramatic contexts.
彼は復讐を誓った。
He swore revenge.
復讐は何も生まない。
Revenge accomplishes nothing.
Getting back at someone, payback. More casual and often petty than 復讐. Can be used for minor retribution or revenge.
Retaliation, reprisal. Often used in formal or military contexts, such as retaliatory strikes.
Expressing that someone got what they deserved in a casual, sometimes schadenfreude-laden way.
Literally 'self-made, self-earned', meaning you reap what you sow. Used when someone's misfortune is a direct result of their own actions. Very common in everyday speech.
自業自得だよ。
You brought it on yourself. / It's your own fault.
彼が失敗したのは自業自得だ。
His failure is his own doing.
Serves you right! Expresses satisfaction at someone's deserved misfortune. Often used as an exclamation.
Can sound petty or mean-spirited; use with caution.
罰 (batsu) is the most general term for punishment and can be used in both legal and moral contexts. 報い (mukui) emphasizes the moral or karmic aspect, often implying a just outcome. 天罰 (tenbatsu) specifically refers to divine punishment from heaven, and is more dramatic. In casual conversation, 罰が当たる or 自業自得 are more natural than directly saying 'retribution'.
The English word 'retribution' can sound overly formal or biblical if translated directly. In most everyday situations, Japanese speakers use more common expressions like 罰, 自業自得, or 仕返し depending on the nuance. Using 応報 or 報復 in casual speech may sound unnatural or overly technical.
彼は自分の病気が過去の罪の報いだと信じていた。
He believed that his illness was retribution for his past sins.
Uses 報い for karmic retribution.
仕返ししてやる。
I'll get back at you.
それは仕返しだ。
That's payback.
報復攻撃を行う。
To carry out a retaliatory attack.
Serves you right!