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Japanese meaning of やられたらやり返す。倍返しだ！

— Naoki Hanzawa ／ Naoki Hanzawa

Reading:

やられたらやりかえす。ばいがえしだ！ (Yararetara yarikaesu. Baigaeshi da!)

English Translation:

If someone gets you, get them back—double payback!

Work: Character: Emotion: Scene:

Original Scene & Cultural Context

Scene in the Original Work:

Naoki Hanzawa strongly declares this phrase, showing determination and a refusal to tolerate unfair treatment or bullying.
日本語で読む
半沢直樹が強い決意を示し、不公平な扱いやいじめに対する妥協なき姿勢を力強く示す決め台詞。

Cultural Context:

Reflects Japanese cultural values related to justice and fairness, emphasizing strongly standing up against wrongdoing or injustice. Became popular as a catchphrase symbolizing resistance and retaliation against unfairness.
日本語で読む
日本文化において不正や理不尽に立ち向かう正義感や公平さを強調した表現。不公平への抵抗や反撃を象徴する流行語にもなった。

Grammar & Learning Points

Grammar Point

•「〜られたら」(raretara) conditional passive form ("if done to you") indicating response to an action
•「倍返し」(baigaeshi) literally means "double return," strongly emphasizing retribution or revenge.
日本語で読む
•「〜られたら」は受身形の条件文で、何かされた場合の反応を示す•「倍返し」は文字通り「二倍にして返す」意味で、報復や仕返しを強調した表現。

Trap for English Speakers

English speakers might find the phrase "double payback" overly aggressive or confrontational, while in Japanese it’s dramatic but commonly used metaphorically in media contexts.
日本語で読む
英語話者には「倍返し」が過剰に攻撃的に聞こえるかもしれないが、日本語では劇的ながらもメディア上の比喩表現として広く受け入れられている。

Example

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 上司に理不尽なことを言われた部下が、心の中で決意する。「やられたらやり返す。倍返しだ…！」

    After being unfairly treated by his boss, an employee steels himself. “If I get hit, I’ll hit back. Double payback...”

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 友人とのやりとりで冗談めかして言う。「おごられたらおごり返す。倍返しだ！」

    Joking with friends after being treated to lunch: “If someone treats me, I’ll treat them back. Double it!”

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Quick check

Meaning

What does 「やられたらやり返す。倍返しだ！」 mean?

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