How to say "reimbursement" in Japanese

• 返済へんさいJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbIts home ground is paying back money owed — a loan, a debt — so as 'reimbursement' it fits the idea of repaying an obligation rather than having expenses paid back to you.
  我々われわれの借金しゃっきんは我々われわれの返済へんさい能力のうりょくを超こえている。↗

  Our debt is more than we can pay.
• 返金へんきんCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbThe refund word: money you paid is given back, as when a purchase is cancelled. For 'reimbursement' it fits cases of money simply being returned to the payer rather than a debt being settled.
  レシートはなくしてしまったのですが、返金へんきんできますか。↗

  I lost my receipt. Can I still get a refund?
• 弁済べんさいCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe legal term for discharging a debt — settling or paying off what is owed. Its 'reimbursement' sense is tied to expenses, so it is not the everyday refund word.

Choose 返金 when money is being refunded to the payer, 返済 when the emphasis is repaying money owed such as a loan, and 弁済 for legally settling or paying off a debt, including reimbursement of expenses.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 返済へんさいrepayment
• 返金へんきんrefund
• 弁済べんさいrepayment
• リインバースメントreimbursement
• 協力費きょうりょくひcompensation (e.g. for participating in a clinical trial)
• 弁償金べんしょうきんreparation