Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Compensate" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "compensate", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
補う
おぎなう (oginau)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
補填
ほてん (hoten)
N1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "compensate" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 補う and 補填.
In Japanese, 補う (おぎなう (oginau)) is typically associated with "to compensate for, to make up for, to supplement" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Often used when something is lacking or insufficient, and you need to add to it or substitute for it..
On the other hand, 補填 (ほてん (hoten)) maps to "to compensate for, to make good a deficit, to cover (losses)" (Syllabus Level: N1) and represents 不足している部分や損失を埋め合わせることを指します。金銭的な不足だけでなく、人員や時間などの不足に対しても使われます。. A literal translation of "compensate" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "補う"
睡眠不足を補うために、週末はたくさん寝た。
To compensate for lack of sleep, I slept a lot on the weekend.
Bilingual Context for "補填"
今回の損失は、当社の準備金で補填する予定です。
We plan to cover this loss with our company's reserves.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "睡眠不足を ＿＿＿ ために、週末はたくさん寝た。" (Meaning: "To compensate for lack of sleep, I slept a lot on the weekend.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "補う" fits here because it means "to compensate for, to make up for, to supplement" in the context of: "To compensate for lack of sleep, I slept a lot on the weekend.". "補填" represents "to compensate for, to make good a deficit, to cover (losses)".