1.
to compensate, to make up for, to pay for
To provide restitution or compensation for damage, loss, or harm caused.
損害を償う。
To compensate for the damage.
保険で被害を償うことができた。
I was able to compensate for the damage through insurance.
お金では償いきれない損失もある。
There are losses that cannot be fully compensated with money.
2.
to atone for, to make amends
To take action to make up for a wrong or sin one has committed.
罪を償う。
To atone for one's sins.
過去の過ちを償うために、彼はボランティア活動を続けている。
To atone for past mistakes, he continues volunteer work.
この罪は一生かけても償えないだろう。
This sin probably can't be atoned for even in a lifetime.
TRANSITIVITY: 他動詞 (transitive). Pattern: Xを償う.
USAGE:
Sense 1 is used in legal and financial contexts for compensation and restitution. Sense 2 is used in moral and personal contexts for atonement and making amends.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 損害を償う: to compensate for damage
- 罪を償う: to atone for one's sins
- 過ちを償う: to make amends for mistakes
- 被害を償う: to compensate for harm
RELATED WORDS:
賠償する is the more formal/legal term for "to compensate" and is standard in legal documents. 償う has a broader, more personal tone.