報復

• Reading: ほうふく
• Romaji: hōfuku
• Kanji breakdown: 報 (ho) — repay, recompense; 復 (fuku) — return, restore
• Pronunciation: /hoː.ɸɯ.kɯ/

Meaning

Retaliation; reprisal; a deliberate act of revenge or retribution in response to a wrong.

A noun (also 報復する) denoting calculated action taken to punish or harm someone in response to a perceived injury. Used in legal, political, and interpersonal contexts. 報復措置 (retaliatory measures) and 報復攻撃 (retaliatory strike) are standard collocations in international affairs. Carries a tone of calculated response rather than impulsive rage.

Examples

1. 制裁に対する報復として、相手国は輸入関税を大幅に引き上げた。 In retaliation for the sanctions, the opposing country sharply raised its import tariffs.
2. 内部告発者への報復は法律で厳しく禁止されている。 Retaliation against whistleblowers is strictly prohibited by law.
3. 彼は仕返しをしようとする衝動を抑え、報復しないことを選んだ。 He suppressed the urge to get back at them and chose not to retaliate.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, law, international relations, conflict

Tone: serious

Origin & History

Compound of 報 (to repay, to recompense) and 復 (to return, to restore). Together they convey the concept of returning harm for harm — paying back an injury in kind.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal