復讐
fukushū[ɸɯ̟̊kɯ̟ɕɨː]
In Japanese, the English phrase "revenge" is expressed as 復讐 (fukushū). Wiktionary also lists 報復 (hōfuku).
Meaning: retaliatory action (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 復讐 | fukushū | [ɸɯ̟̊kɯ̟ɕɨː] (narrow) |
| 報復 | hōfuku | [ho̞ːɸɯ̟̊kɯ̟] (narrow) |
The term 復讐 (fukushū) is the closest translation to "revenge" in Japanese and signifies seeking vengeance in a formal context. It is used for personal, emotional or vendetta-style revenge, often seen in stories or personal vendettas.
Which one should you use?
While 復讐 is used for personal, emotional or vendetta-style revenge, 報復 (hōfuku) is used for formal retaliation, such as a state's response to an attack or a company's response to a trade policy.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the noun 復讐 into a verb, you add the verb する (to do) to create 復讐する. Similarly, to turn the noun 報復 into a verb, you add the verb する (to do) to create 報復する.
How do you pronounce it?
fukushū
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, the concept of 復讐 is famously tied to the chūshingura stories about the forty-seven rōnin who sought revenge for their lord.
- The act of 復讐 in historical Japan was sometimes legally sanctioned or socially praised if it followed the code of the samurai.
- The word 復讐 is a loanword from Middle Chinese and is shared with Korean 복수 and Vietnamese phục thù.
Examples in context
- 復讐は冷ましてから食べる料理である。Revenge is a dish best served cold.This sentence shows an idiomatic way to discuss the nature of revenge using 復讐.Tatoeba #2825336 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #417475 by Clavain
- 復讐のため、彼らは隣の家に火を放った。They set fire to their neighbor's house in revenge.This sentence uses 復讐 to describe a motive for an action.Tatoeba #10645096 by bunbuku, translation #9145785 by CK
- 復讐を果たすTo exact revengeThis sentence shows how to use 復讐 when describing the act of exacting revenge.
- 彼は復讐を誓ったHe swore revenge.
- 私は彼に仕返しをしたI took revenge on him.
- 君にやり返してやるI will get back at you.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a plot in a movie.
- 蓮 Renこの映画のテーマは復讐なんだね。Kono eiga no tēma wa fukushū nanda ne.The theme of this movie is revenge, isn't it?
- 結衣 Yuiうん。主人公がとても悲しそうだった。Un. Shujinkō ga totemo kanashisō datta.Yeah. The protagonist looked very sad.
- 蓮 Ren復讐しても幸せになれないと思うよ。Fukushū shitemo shiawase ni narenai to omou yo.I don't think you can become happy even with revenge.
- 結衣 Yuiそうだね。それがこの物語の教訓だと思う。Sō da ne. Sore ga kono monogatari no kyōkun da to omou.True. I think that's the lesson of this story.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “revenge” translations and entries 復讐, 報復, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 復讐, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
