褒賞|ほうしょうhoushou[0]heiban (flat)

1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbprize; award; reward

• Synonym褒美ほうびNeutralThe everyday word for a reward, including small treats for children; warmer and more colloquial than 「褒賞」, which sounds formal and official.
• Synonym報いむくいNeutralThe result that comes back from one's actions — a reward or retribution, for good or ill; broader and more abstract than 「褒賞」.
• Synonym報奨ほうしょうWrittenA written/formal word for rewarding a deed with money, as in 「報奨金」; more concrete and practical than 「褒賞」, which also covers prizes and certificates.
• Synonym恩賞おんしょうWrittenA written/formal term for a lord rewarding loyal retainers with money, land or rank; carries a historical flavour absent from 「褒賞」.
• Related報いるむくいるWrittenWritten/formal verb for repaying what someone has done for you — rewarding their efforts, or, in another sense, taking revenge.
• Related褒めるほめるNeutralThe most common everyday verb for praising — in words or with a gesture like patting a child's head; no prize is involved.
• Related表彰ひょうしょうFormalFormal public commendation of good deeds or achievements, as in 「表彰状」; more common than 「褒賞」 in official settings.
• Related賛美さんびWrittenWritten/formal praise with an enthusiastic, glorifying tone; it never refers to prizes or money, unlike 「褒賞」.
• Related謝礼しゃれいNeutralMoney or a gift given to express thanks for a favour; it is a token of gratitude, not a reward for merit like 「褒賞」.
• Related報酬ほうしゅうNeutralPayment earned for work or services — compensation owed, not an award; much more common than 「褒賞」 in everyday use.
• Related賞賛しょうさんWrittenWritten/formal praise expressing admiring approval, as in 「賞賛を浴びる」; it evaluates, and does not mean giving a prize.
• Related褒め称えるほめたたえるNeutralA verb meaning to praise someone lavishly in words; it names the act of praising, not a prize, so it cannot replace 「褒賞」.
• Related称揚しょうようWrittenA rare written/formal word for praising someone openly; it is about the praise itself and does not involve handing out prizes as 「褒賞」 does.
• Related報うむくうWrittenThe godan-verb counterpart of 「報いる」; written/formal, with the same meaning of repaying a deed, including revenge.
• Related賞するしょうするWrittenA rare written/formal verb: to praise or admire, and also to view appreciatively, as in 「月を賞する」; not used for giving prizes.
• Related称えるたたえるWrittenA written/formal verb for praising someone to express admiration and respect; it does not involve giving a material reward.
• RelatedねぎらうNeutralTo thank someone of equal or lower status for their hard work, with a caring, appreciative tone; not about awarding prizes.
• Antonym罰ばつNeutralPunishment inflicting pain for a fault or crime; the direct opposite of 「褒賞」, which rewards excellence.
• Antonym処罰しょばつFormalFormal punishment of offenders under rules or law; stands at the opposite pole from commending with 「褒賞」.
• Antonym懲罰ちょうばつWrittenWritten/formal disciplinary punishment meant as a warning for the future; the counterpart of rewarding with 「褒賞」.

Use 「褒賞」 for praise and prizes formally granted for outstanding deeds or works. For everyday rewards, especially small treats for children, pick 「褒美」; for money rewarding a specific act, 「報奨」; for official public commendation, 「表彰」. The verbs 「褒める」 and 「褒め称える」 describe praising itself, not prizes, while 「報いる」「報う」「報酬」 and 「謝礼」 concern repayment or payment rather than awards. 「罰」「処罰」 and 「懲罰」 are the opposite: punishments instead of rewards.

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

1. すぐれた行為こういや作品さくひんなどに対たいする称賛しょうさんのこと。また、そのしるしとして与あたえる金品きんぴん、賞状しょうじょうなど。褒賞ほうしょう金きん。