Back to dictionary
JLPT N113画 · 13 strokesradical 酉freq #1515

repay, reward, retribution

On'yomi (音読み)

  • シュウ
  • シュ
  • トウ

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

  • むく.いる

Mnemonic

To repay a favor, she opened a bottle of fine sake (酉) to reward her friend with a night of laughter and gratitude.

About this kanji

The kanji "酬" primarily means to repay or reward. It is used mostly as a noun, but it can also be seen in verb form. You will often encounter it in compounds like "報酬" (ほうしゅう), meaning remuneration or payment for services; "応酬" (おうしゅう), which refers to an exchange of words or other forms of interaction; and "無報酬" (むほうしゅう), which means unpaid. A key point to note is that while "酬" is associated with benefits or exchanges, it often carries a sense of obligation to reciprocate something received.

Example sentences

  • 努力に酬いがある。

    There is a reward for effort.

Meanings across languages

English
repay, reward, retribution
Tiếng Việt
đền bù, thưởng
日本語
한국어
보답
中文
id
membalas
th
ตอบแทน
es
retribuir
fr
récompenser
de
belohnen
pt
recompensar

Common compounds

  • 報酬ほうしゅうremuneration, recompense, reward
  • 応酬おうしゅうexchange (of words, views, punches, cups, etc.), give-and-take, reply
  • 無報酬むほうしゅうunpaid, without pay, gratuitous
  • 献酬けんしゅうexchange of sake cups
  • 貴酬きしゅうreply (epistolary)
  • 互酬ごしゅうreciprocity
  • 互酬性ごしゅうせいreciprocity
  • 総報酬そうほうしゅうgross salary

Want to actually learn this kanji?

The dictionary is one view. The Kanji 360 app wraps every character with mnemonic images, audio readings, stroke-order animation, story context, and SRS scheduling — free to start on iPhone, iPad, and Android.