和解する

• Reading: わかいする
• Romaji: wakai suru
• Kanji breakdown: 和 (wa) — harmony, peace; 解 (kai) — untie, resolve
• Pronunciation: /wa.ka.i.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To reconcile; to reach a settlement; to compromise. To resolve a dispute and restore harmony.

A suru-verb combining 和解 (reconciliation/settlement) with する. Has both a legal sense (reaching an out-of-court settlement, 示談和解) and a personal sense (making up after a quarrel). In legal contexts, 和解 is a formal alternative to going to trial. In everyday life, it means mending a broken relationship.

Examples

1. 長年対立していた兄弟がようやく和解した。 Brothers who had been at odds for years finally reconciled.
2. 裁判になる前に和解することで合意した。 They agreed to reach a settlement before it went to trial.
3. 誤解が解けて友人と和解できてほっとした。 I was relieved to reconcile with my friend after the misunderstanding was cleared up.

Usage Guide

Context: law, relationships, diplomacy, conflict resolution

Tone: conciliatory

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 和 (wa, harmony/peace) + 解 (kai, to untie/to resolve). Literally 'to untie into harmony,' capturing the idea of dissolving conflict to restore a peaceful state.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal