1.
to reward, to repay, to reciprocate
To return a favor, kindness, or effort with an appropriate response. Often used for repaying someone's goodwill, trust, or hard work.
恩に報いる。
Repay a kindness.
期待に報いるために全力を尽くした。
I gave my all to live up to their expectations.
長年の努力が報いられて、ようやく夢が叶った。
Years of effort were finally rewarded, and my dream came true.
2.
to retaliate, to avenge, to get back at
To return harm or wrongdoing in kind. Used for revenge or retribution.
仇を報いる。
Take revenge.
悪事には悪事で報いるべきではない。
You should not repay evil with evil.
裏切りに対して同じやり方で報いようとは思わなかった。
I had no intention of retaliating for the betrayal in the same way.
USAGE:
The passive form 報いられる (to be rewarded) is extremely common, especially in the pattern 努力が報いられる (one's efforts are rewarded). The に particle marks what is being repaid: 恩に報いる (repay a kindness), 期待に報いる (live up to expectations).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 恩に報いる: repay a favor/kindness
- 期待に報いる: live up to expectations
- 努力が報いられる: one's efforts are rewarded
- 仇を報いる: take revenge
- 信頼に報いる: repay someone's trust
SIMILAR WORDS:
The related noun 報い means reward or retribution. 恩返し (returning a favor) is a noun specifically for repaying kindness. 仕返し (getting back at someone) is more colloquial for revenge.