復讐
fukushū[ɸɯ̟̊kɯ̟ɕɨː]
The English word 'vengeance' is translated into Japanese as 復讐 (fukushū).
復讐 is used to mean vengeance or retribution, often referring to revenge taken for an insult, injury or other wrong.
Meaning: revenge taken for an insult, injury, or other wrong (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 復讐 is composed of the characters 復, meaning 'return' or 'restore' and 讐, meaning 'enemy' or 'adversary'.
Which one should you use?
While 復讐 (fukushū) refers to a retaliatory act of vengeance, it is often used in more dramatic, literary or serious contexts compared to everyday words for 'payback'. In contrast, 逆襲 conveys the idea of a counterattack and is used for reciprocal revenge or retaliatory actions.
How do you pronounce it?
fukushū
Did you know?
- While 復讐 refers to the act of vengeance, Japanese has a specific term 恨み (urami) to describe the lingering feeling of resentment that fuels the desire for it.
- The word 復讐 is a linguistic relative to the Korean word 복수 (boksu) and the Vietnamese phục thù, as they all share the same historical roots in Middle Chinese.
- Using 復讐 in a casual conversation about a small disagreement would sound absurdly dramatic, as it carries the weight of a life-altering or blood-related vendetta.
Examples in context
- 彼女は彼に仕返しをするつもりです。She intends to get her revenge on him.
- 復讐を誓う。fukushuu o chikau.I vow vengeance.
- 復讐はあまり良くない。fukushuu wa amari yokunai.Vengeance is not a good thing.
- 彼は復讐のために生きてきた。kare wa fukushuu no tame ni ikite kita.He lived for vengeance.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are discussing a movie plot.
- 健太 Kenta主人公は復讐に燃えているね。Shujinkō wa fukushū ni moete iru ne.The protagonist is burning with vengeance, isn't he?
- 結衣 Yuiええ、でも悲しい結末になりそう。Ee, demo kanashii ketsumatsu ni narisō.Yes, but it looks like it will have a sad ending.
- 健太 Kenta復讐が終わった後、何が残るだろうか。Fukushū ga owatta ato, nani ga nokoru darō ka.I wonder what will be left after the vengeance is over.
- 結衣 Yuiきっと孤独だけだと思うわ。Kitto kodoku dake da to omou wa.I think it will just be loneliness.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “vengeance” translations and entries 復讐, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 復讐, CC BY-SA 4.0.
