復讐（ふくしゅう、fukushuu）
- retribution

The Japanese word 復讐 （ふくしゅう） means "revenge," "vengeance," or "retaliation." It refers to the act of inflicting harm or punishment on someone in return for a wrong or injury suffered. It implies a desire to get even or to settle a score. It’s a strong word with negative connotations, suggesting anger, resentment, and a desire to see justice served, often through forceful or harmful means.

⚫︎ 彼は 復讐を誓った。 Translation: He swore revenge. ⚫︎ 彼女は彼らの不当な扱いに対して 復讐を望んだ。 Translation: She desired revenge for their unfair treatment. ⚫︎ その映画は、父親の死に対する息子の 復讐を描いている。 Translation: The movie depicts a son's revenge for his father's death.

This word is used to describe acts of revenge, planned or carried out. It can be used in various contexts, including literature, film, and real-life situations. Be mindful that using this word suggests a serious and often morally questionable action. You'd typically use this word when talking about someone seeking retribution for a perceived wrong.

復讐 is typically written with the kanji 復 (fuku, meaning "return" or "restore") and 讐 (shū, meaning "revenge" or "enemy"). The reading is ふくしゅう in hiragana. There are no other common ways to write this word. The okurigana (suffix hiragana) is fixed, and there are no variations.

⚫︎ 報復 (ほうふく): retaliation, reprisal ⚫︎ 仕返し (しかえし): getting even, payback (more informal) ⚫︎ 仇討ち (あだうち): vendetta (historical, samurai context) ⚫︎ リベンジ (ribenji): revenge (loanword, more modern)

⚫︎ 許し (ゆるし): forgiveness ⚫︎ 赦し (ゆるし): pardon, absolution ⚫︎ 和解 (わかい): reconciliation ⚫︎ 寛容 (かんよう): tolerance, generosity

彼は長年の恨みを晴らすために、ついに《復讐を果たした。》 ・Translation: He finally took his revenge to resolve the long-held grudge. ・Explanation: This sentence describes someone who, after a long time, has finally succeeded in carrying out their revenge.

彼女は過去の敵に対して、冷静に《復讐を計画した。》 ・Translation: She calmly planned her revenge against her past enemies. ・Explanation: This sentence highlights a calculated and deliberate act of revenge.

The kanji 復 originally meant "to return" or "to go back." The kanji 讐 means "enemy" or "to avenge." Therefore, the combination implies the concept of going back at the enemy and restoring the balance through revenge.