償う

• Reading: つぐなう
• Romaji: tsugunau
• Kanji breakdown: 償 (shō/tsuguna) — compensate, atone, repay
• Pronunciation: /tsɯ.ɡɯ.na.ɯ/

Meaning

To make up for; to compensate for; to atone for; to indemnify; to redeem a fault.

A Group 1 (godan) transitive verb used when making amends for wrongdoing, compensating for damages, or repaying a debt — whether moral or financial. Carries a heavier emotional weight than 弁償する, implying a sense of moral responsibility and the desire to set things right.

Examples

1. 過去の過ちを償うために努力している。 I am making efforts to atone for my past mistakes.
2. 損害を金銭で償うことになった。 It was decided that the damages would be compensated financially.
3. どんなに謝っても、失った時間は償えない。 No matter how much you apologize, you can't make up for lost time.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, moral responsibility, literature

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From the kanji 償 meaning to compensate or repay. Originally referred to repaying financial debts, but expanded to include moral atonement. The kanji combines 人 (person) and 賞 (reward), suggesting a person giving back what is owed.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal