償還

• Reading: しょうかん
• Romaji: shoukan
• Kanji breakdown: 償 (shou) — compensate, repay; 還 (kan) — return, give back
• Pronunciation: /ɕoː.kaɴ/

Meaning

Redemption; repayment; amortisation. The full repayment of principal on a bond or loan at maturity.

A formal financial and legal term for the repayment of the principal amount of bonds or loans. Most commonly used in the context of bond redemption: 社債償還 (corporate bond redemption), 国債償還 (government bond redemption). 償還期限 refers to the maturity date and 早期償還 to early redemption. Conveys the fulfilment of a formal financial obligation in full.

Examples

1. 10年物国債の償還期日が近づき、市場参加者が神経をとがらせている。 As the redemption date for 10-year government bonds approaches, market participants are growing nervous.
2. 社債の早期償還により、企業の年間利払い負担が軽減された。 The early redemption of corporate bonds reduced the company's annual interest payment burden.
3. 借入金の償還計画を策定し、主要取引銀行に提出した。 A loan repayment plan was drawn up and submitted to the main transaction bank.

Usage Guide

Context: finance, bonds, debt management, accounting

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 償 (shou, compensate/repay) and 還 (kan, return). Both characters convey the return of something owed — 償 implying making amends and 還 implying a coming back — together emphasising full, formal financial repayment.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Finance professionals

Social background: Corporate