1.
act of retaliation; retaliatory action; reprisal
An action taken in revenge or response to a prior hostile act. Used in international relations, workplace contexts, and general discussion of vengeful behavior.
報復行為は禁止されている。
Acts of retaliation are prohibited.
内部告発者に対する報復行為は法律で禁じられている。
Retaliatory actions against whistleblowers are prohibited by law.
両国の間で報復行為がエスカレートし、緊張が高まった。
Retaliatory actions escalated between the two countries, and tensions rose.
A compound of 報復 (retaliation, reprisal) and 行為 (act, conduct). A formal term used in legal, diplomatic, and journalistic contexts.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 報復行為に出る — to resort to retaliation
- 報復行為を行う — to carry out retaliatory action
- 報復行為を禁じる — to prohibit retaliation
- 報復行為とみなす — to regard as an act of retaliation
DOMAIN USAGE:
- International relations: retaliatory sanctions, military reprisals between nations
- Workplace: retaliation against employees who report misconduct or file complaints
- Law: actions taken in revenge that may constitute additional offenses
RELATED TERMS:
- 報復 — retaliation, reprisal (the concept without specifying an act)
- 仕返し — getting even, payback (more colloquial)
- 復讐 — revenge (personal and emotional, often literary)
- 制裁 — sanctions; disciplinary action (can overlap with retaliation in diplomatic contexts)