How to Say "Recovery" in Japanese

回復

kaifuku[ka̠iɸɯ̟̊kɯ̟]

In Japanese, recovery is translated as 回復 (kaifuku).

回復 refers to a return to normal health.

Meaning: return to normal health (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word is composed of the kanji 回 (round/times) and 復 (return/restore).

The noun 回復 can be turned into a verb by adding the verb する to create 回復する, which means to recover.

kaifuku

When wishing someone a recovery, it is common to use the phrase お大事に 'o-daiji-ni'. This doesn't mention 'recovery' at all but literally means 'take care of yourself'.
In a medical context, if a patient is recovering from a long illness, you might hear the term 快復 (kaifuku), which is pronounced exactly the same as 回復 but uses a different kanji meaning 'pleasant' or 'good'.
While 回復 is perfect for health, if you are talking about a recovering economy or a damaged object, Japanese speakers often prefer the word 復旧 (fukkyū).

トムは奇跡的な回復を遂げた。
Tom made a miraculous recovery.
This sentence is useful for describing a miraculous recovery using 回復.
Tatoeba #12426419 by bunbuku, translation #6887075 by Hybrid
彼が回復する見込みは全くない。
There is no hope of his recovery.
This sentence shows how to express that there is no hope of recovery using 回復.
Tatoeba #120531 by bunbuku, translation #283478 by CK
彼女が回復する望みはほとんどない。
There is little hope of her recovery.
This sentence shows how to express that there is little hope of recovery using 回復.
Tatoeba #95488 by bunbuku, translation #308217 by CK
彼の回復は順調です。
His recovery is going well.
早く快復できることを願っています。
I hope you can have a speedy recovery.
大丈夫？もう元通り？
Are you okay? Are you back to normal?
元気になるように、祈ります。
I pray you get well soon.
ちゃんと休んで、すぐ元に戻ってね。
Take a good rest and get back to normal soon.
6 more sentences on Tatoeba

Hiyori and Yota are talking about a friend who was sick.

陽葵 Himari

友達の回復は早かったね。
Tomodachi no kaifuku wa hayakatta ne.
Our friend's recovery was fast, wasn't it?
陽太 Yota

うん、本当に良かったよ。
Un, hontou ni yokatta yo.
Yeah, it's really great.
陽葵 Himari

もう仕事に戻れるみたい。
Mou shigoto ni modoreru mitai.
It seems they can return to work already.
陽太 Yota

完全な回復を祈りたいね。
Kanzenna kaifuku o inoritai ne.
I hope for a full recovery.

Sources

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