報いる

• Reading: むくいる
• Romaji: mukuiru
• Kanji breakdown: 報 (muku/hō) — to report, repay, reward
• Pronunciation: /mɯ.kɯ.i.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To reward; to repay; to recompense. Used for returning something — positive or negative — in response to what one has received.

A Group 2 (ichidan) verb that can be both transitive and intransitive. Used for repaying kindness, effort, or sometimes harm. Common patterns: 恩に報いる (to repay a favour), 期待に報いる (to live up to expectations). Has a literary, slightly formal tone.

Examples

1. 彼は両親の期待に報いるために一生懸命勉強した。 He studied hard to live up to his parents' expectations.
2. 長年の努力がついに報いられた。 Years of effort were finally rewarded.
3. 恩師の恩に報いる方法をずっと考えていた。 I had long been thinking about how to repay my mentor's kindness.

Usage Guide

Context: gratitude, effort, moral duty

Tone: earnest

Origin & History

From classical Japanese. The kanji 報 means 'to inform' or 'to repay,' combining 幸 (fortune) and 卩 (kneeling figure), suggesting offering something in return.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal