How to say "redemption" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 償却しょうきゃくsuru verb, no-adjective, transitive verbRedemption as paying off a debt so the obligation is extinguished. In practice chiefly an accounting and finance term; to redeem bonds, 償還 is the usual choice, so this is rarely what you want.
- 償還しょうかんnoun, suru verb, transitive verbRedemption of securities or debt: paying back the principal of bonds or loans. This is the word for redeeming bonds, and it also covers amortization of a debt.
- 買い戻しかいもどしnounRedemption as buying something back: repurchasing goods one has sold or pledged, such as redeeming an item from a pawnshop. The concrete, transactional sense, not repayment of money owed.
- 償金しょうきんnounReally 'reparation' or 'indemnity'—money paid to make good a loss or injury. As a translation of 'redemption' it is marginal: it suggests compensating for harm, not paying off or buying back.
- 返済へんさいnoun, suru verb, transitive verbRepayment of borrowed money: the ordinary word for paying off loans and debts. Choose it when 'redemption' simply means paying back what one owes, as in the redemption of a debt.
These are all financial or legal: 償還 for redeeming bonds, 返済 for repaying what is owed, 「買い戻し」 for buying goods back, 償金 for compensation, 償却 chiefly an accounting term; the religious or moral sense takes other words.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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