How to say "revenge" in Japanese

• 復讐ふくしゅうCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe general word for revenge: harming someone in return for a wrong they did you. It covers revenge as an idea and as a sustained personal quest, and is the safe choice when unsure.
  これは、あの殺人的さつじんてきな公爵こうしゃくに復讐ふくしゅうしようという彼かれの願ねがいを強つよめただけだ。↗

  This only increased his desire to be revenged on the murderous duke.
• 報復ほうふくCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbRetaliation or reprisal, often in an official or public frame: a nation striking back, a group answering an attack. It sounds weightier and more formal than everyday payback.
  私は彼かれに報復ほうふくするつもりだ。↗

  I will take my revenge on him.
• 仇討ちあだうちCommon
  nounVengeance in the classic sense of avenging a wrong done to you or yours — the traditional vendetta for a murdered parent or lord. It carries that old, dramatic flavor.
• 敵討ちかたきうちCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbEssentially the same idea as 仇討ち: avenging a wrong, especially the vendetta for a slain parent or lord. Either word fits that classic avenging sense.
• 仕返ししかえしCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbEveryday payback: getting even for a slight, a prank, or a loss — tit for tat rather than deep vengeance. For small personal scores this is the natural word.
  この侮辱ぶじょくはきっと仕返しかえしをしてやるから。↗

  I'll get even with you for this insult!

Choose 復讐 for revenge in general, 報復 for retaliation by nations or groups, 「仇討ち」 or 「敵討ち」 for the classic vendetta, and 「仕返し」 for everyday payback between individuals.

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

• 復讐ふくしゅうrevenge
• 報復ほうふくretaliation
• 仇討ちあだうちvengeance
• 敵討ちかたきうちvengeance
• 仕返ししかえしpayback
• 雪辱せつじょくvindication of honour
• リベンジrevenge
• 返報へんぽうrevenge
• 仇讎きゅうしゅうrevenge
• 意趣返しいしゅがえしrevenge
• 意趣晴らしいしゅばらしrevenge
• 腹いせはらいせretaliation
• 復仇ふっきゅうreprisal
• 返礼へんれいretaliation
• お返しおかえしrevenge
• 敵かたきrevenge
• 挨拶あいさつrevenge
• 意趣いしゅrevenge