To Compensate For
To Make Up For, To Atone For
transitive verb, godan verb
To make reparations is to compensate for or to make up for something. You're going to atone for your sins.
This word is mainly used when someone is taking responsibility for a mistake, a wrongdoing, or a loss by providing compensation or otherwise making things right.
This verb uses the kun'yomi reading of the kanji. You haven't learned that yet, so here's mnemonic to help you:
If you want to compensate for the wrongs you've done to me, just give me two good nachos (つぐな). You can do all kinds of bad stuff to me, I'll be happy and remain your friend as long as you feed me two good nachos to make up for it after.
過去の過ちを償うことに、疲れちゃったんだよ。
I got so tired of making up for past mistakes.
たとえあなたが死をもって罪を償っても、問題は解決しないでしょう。
Even if you atoned for your sins with your own death, it wouldn't solve the problem.
愛情不足は現金や商品券で償えるものではありません。
A lack of love can't be compensated for with cash or gift certificates.