How to say "Reward" in Japanese

When translating "reward" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 報酬 and 報いる. In Japanese, 報酬 (ほうしゅう (houshuu)) is typically associated with "reward; remuneration; compensation; fee" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Refers to payment or reward for services rendered, work done, or effort. It is a more formal term than just 'salary' and can apply to both monetary and non-monetary rewards.. On the other hand, 報いる (むくいる (mukuiru)) maps to "to reward, to repay, to return (a favor), to retaliate" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Used when returning kindness or showing gratitude, but can also imply returning hostility or taking revenge. Often seen in phrases like 恩に報いる. A literal translation of "reward" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!