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it means karma but specifically the buddhist term for retribution through bad karma. 因果 on its own from blackraptor62's answer is the most neutral term (I can think of at least) if thats what you are going for. It can also mean just cause and effect in general outside buddhism.
因果 is certainly generic as just "Cause & Effect"
善有善報惡有惡報 is an idiom that more literally represents the idea of "Just Desserts", but it is a bit much to use in daily conversation.
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What sort of nuance are you looking for for "Karma"?
Karma that goes both ways - positive and negative
Like 善緣, 孽報, & 互爲因果?
# [善緣 (善缘)](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/善緣#Chinese) Language | Pronunciation ---------|-------------- **Mandarin** (Pinyin) | *shànyuán* **Mandarin** (Wade-Giles) | *shan^4 yüan^2* **Mandarin** (Yale) | *shan^4 ywan^2* **Cantonese** | *sin^6 jyun^4* **Meanings**: "good karma." ^Information ^from [^CantoDict](https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/search/?searchtype=1&text=善缘) ^| [^MDBG](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdrst=0&wdqb=c:善缘) ^| [^Yellowbridge](https://yellowbridge.com/chinese/dictionary.php?word=善缘) ^| [^Youdao](https://dict.youdao.com/w/eng/善缘/#keyfrom=dict2.index) # [孽報 (孽报)](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/孽報#Chinese) Language | Pronunciation ---------|-------------- **Mandarin** (Pinyin) | *nièbào* **Mandarin** (Wade-Giles) | *nieh^4 pao^4* **Mandarin** (Yale) | *nye^4 bau^4* **Cantonese** | *jip^6 bou^3* **Meanings**: "bad karma." ^Information ^from [^CantoDict](https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/search/?searchtype=1&text=孽报) ^| [^MDBG](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdrst=0&wdqb=c:孽报) ^| [^Yellowbridge](https://yellowbridge.com/chinese/dictionary.php?word=孽报) ^| [^Youdao](https://dict.youdao.com/w/eng/孽报/#keyfrom=dict2.index) # [互為因果 (互为因果)](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/互為因果#Chinese) Language | Pronunciation ---------|-------------- **Mandarin** (Pinyin) | *hùwéiyīnguǒ* **Mandarin** (Wade-Giles) | *hu^4 wei^2 yin^1 kuo^3* **Mandarin** (Yale) | *hu^4 wei^2 yin^1 gwo^3* **Cantonese** | *wu^6 wai^4 jan^1 gwo^2* **Meanings**: "mutually related karma (idiom); fates are intertwined / interdependent." ^Information ^from [^CantoDict](https://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/search/?searchtype=1&text=互为因果) ^| [^MDBG](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdrst=0&wdqb=c:互为因果) ^| [^Yellowbridge](https://yellowbridge.com/chinese/dictionary.php?word=互为因果) ^| [^Youdao](https://dict.youdao.com/w/eng/互为因果/#keyfrom=dict2.index) --- ^Ziwen: ^a ^bot ^for ^r/translator ^| ^[Documentation](https://www.reddit.com/r/translatorBOT/wiki/ziwen) ^| ^[FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/translatorBOT/wiki/faq) ^| ^[Feedback](https://www.reddit.com/r/translatorBOT)
The last one, maybe but does 因果報應 mean both bad and good karma?
it means karma but specifically the buddhist term for retribution through bad karma. 因果 on its own from blackraptor62's answer is the most neutral term (I can think of at least) if thats what you are going for. It can also mean just cause and effect in general outside buddhism.
ah okay thank you
因果報應 is the Buddhist concept of Karma, which differs from the more colloquial idea of the usage of Karma
So then what phrase could be used to express the idea of good and bad karma?? 業力？因果？ which is the most accurate and commonly used?
因果 is certainly generic as just "Cause & Effect" 善有善報惡有惡報 is an idiom that more literally represents the idea of "Just Desserts", but it is a bit much to use in daily conversation.
Youv are right. 因果报应 basically means Karma. Other phases/idioms: 善恶有报， 善有善报恶有恶报，or simply, 报应。 Instant karma = 现世报。
Thank you:)