1.
retaliation, revenge, payback, getting even
The act of retaliating or getting back at someone who has wronged you. Can range from petty revenge to serious retaliation.
仕返しをする。
To get revenge.
仕返しされるのが怖い。
I'm afraid of retaliation.
いじめっ子に仕返しをしても、何も解決しないと先生に言われた。
The teacher told me that retaliating against bullies wouldn't solve anything.
USAGE:
Most commonly used with する: 仕返しをする (to retaliate, to get revenge). More colloquial and everyday than 復讐 (vengeance), which implies deeper, more serious revenge.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 仕返しをする: to get revenge, to retaliate
- 仕返しされる: to have someone get back at you
- 仕返しを恐れる: to fear retaliation
DISTINCTION:
仕返し is more casual than 復讐 (vengeance) and 報復 (reprisal). 仕返し can be used for minor, everyday acts of getting even, while the others imply more serious or formal contexts.