埋め合わせる

• Reading: うめあわせる
• Romaji: umeawaseru
• Kanji breakdown: 埋 (mai/u) — bury, fill in; 合 (gō/awa) — combine, match, fit
• Pronunciation: /ɯ.me.a.wa.se.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To make up for; to compensate; to offset. Used when trying to balance out a loss, mistake, or shortcoming with something positive.

A Group 2 (ichidan) compound verb combining 埋める (umeru, to fill in/bury) and 合わせる (awaseru, to match/fit together). The compound conveys the sense of filling a gap so that two sides are again level or reconciled. Used for compensating lost time, making amends for a mistake, offsetting a financial loss, or repairing a damaged relationship. The noun form 埋め合わせ is equally common.

Examples

1. 不在の時間を埋め合わせるため、週末は子供たちと過ごした。 To make up for the time he had been away, he spent the weekend with his children.
2. 過去の失礼を何とかして埋め合わせたいと思っている。 I want to somehow compensate for the rudeness I showed in the past.
3. 一度失った信頼は、簡単には埋め合わせることができない。 Once trust is lost, it cannot be easily made up for.

Usage Guide

Context: relationships, business, apology, finance

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 埋める (umeru, to bury or fill, from Old Japanese) and 合わせる (awaseru, to combine or match). The metaphor is of filling in a hollow so that a surface becomes even again — restoring balance or equivalence.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal