仕返し|しかえしshikaeshi[0]heiban (flat)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
Definitions
- noun, suru verb, intransitive verbpayback; tit for tat; retaliation; revenge
- noun, suru verb, intransitive verbdoing over again; redoing
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 仕返しする（しかえしする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 仕返しします（しかえしします） |
| Negative (nai) | 仕返ししない（しかえししない） |
| polite (masen) | 仕返ししません（しかえししません） |
| classical zu / nu | 仕返しせず・仕返しせぬ（しかえしせず・しかえしせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 仕返しした（しかえしした） |
| polite (mashita) | 仕返ししました（しかえししました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 仕返ししなかった（しかえししなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 仕返ししませんでした（しかえししませんでした） |
| Te form | 仕返しして（しかえしして） |
| Potential | 仕返しできる（しかえしできる） |
| Passive | 仕返しされる（しかえしされる） |
| Causative | 仕返しさせる（しかえしさせる） |
| Causative passive | 仕返しさせられる（しかえしさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 仕返しすれば（しかえしすれば） |
| tara | 仕返ししたら（しかえししたら） |
| Volitional | 仕返ししよう（しかえししよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 仕返ししましょう（しかえししましょう） |
| Imperative | 仕返ししろ（しかえししろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym復讐ふくしゅうNeutralRevenge for a wrong done to you; a heavier word than 「仕返し」, though the grudge need not run deep.
- Synonym報復ほうふくNeutralRetaliation against an attack, mostly between nations or organizations, as in 「報復措置」.
- Synonym仇討ちあだうちNeutralAvenging the murder of one's lord or a family member; carries a historical, Edo-period flavour.
- Synonym敵討ちかたきうちNeutralTaking revenge on an enemy; much the same as 「仇討ち」 but slightly more colloquial.
- SynonymリベンジNeutralLoanword for having another go after a defeat, mostly in sports and games; positive in colour and not necessarily about getting even.
- Relatedお返しおかえしNeutralA return gift or favour, but it can also ironically mean paying someone back; lighter in tone than 「仕返し」.
- Related雪辱せつじょくNeutralWiping out the disgrace of a defeat by beating the one who beat you; mostly used for matches and contests.
- Related報いるむくいるNeutralA verb: to repay good or evil, rewarding kindness or striking back; often seen in 「一矢を報いる」.
- Related返報へんぽうWrittenWritten word for repaying a kindness or striking back; rare, and used for both good and bad returns; everyday speech says 「お返し」.
- Relatedしっぺ返ししっぺがえしNeutralHitting back at once in the same way; colloquial, with a flavour of poetic justice — what you dish out comes back to you.
- Related意趣返しいしゅがえしWrittenRevenge taken to vent a grudge; a rare written word that carries more bitterness than 「仕返し」.
- Related意趣晴らしいしゅばらしNeutralGetting even to vent one's grudge; rare, and much the same as 「意趣返し」.
- Related仕返すしかえすNeutralThe verb form, to pay someone back; not much used on its own — everyday speech prefers 「仕返しする」.
- Antonym恩返しおんがえしNeutralRepaying a favour or kindness — the opposite of 「仕返し」, which returns wrong for wrong.
Use 「仕返し」 for paying someone back after being wronged. For a heavier tone pick 「復讐」; between nations or organizations use 「報復」; to avenge a loss in a match say 「リベンジ」 or 「雪辱」. 「お返し」 covers light, ironic payback and returning favours, while 「恩返し」 is for repaying kindness, the opposite of payback.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
