Japanese symbol for “redeem”
償う
つぐなう
Romaji: tsugunau
to make up for; to compensate for; to indemnify; to recompense
In Japanese, redeem is 償う, read つぐなう (tsugunau).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- v5u, vt to make up for; to compensate for; to indemnify; to recompense; to redeem (e.g. a fault); to atone for
Written forms: 償う. Readings: つぐなう、つぐのう.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “redeem”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 救う | すくう sukuu | to save (spiritually); to redeem (from sin); to deliver (from suffering, distress, etc.) |
| 買い戻す | かいもどす kaimodosu | to buy back; to redeem |
| 贖う | あがなう aganau | to atone for; to expiate; to redeem |
| 請け出す | うけだす ukedasu | to redeem; to take out of pawn |
| 受け戻す | うけもどす ukemodosu | to redeem (e.g. mortgage, pawned article); to ransom; to take up |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 賠償 | ばいしょう baishou | compensation; reparations; indemnity |
| 補償 | ほしょう hoshou | compensation; reparation |
| 代償 | だいしょう daishou | compensation; reparation; indemnification |
| 無償 | むしょう mushou | without compensation; without reward; without pay |
| 償還 | しょうかん shoukan | repayment; redemption; amortization |
| 有償 | ゆうしょう yuushou | (involving) payment; (involving) compensation; paying a fee |
See also: Chinese symbol for “redeem”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.