Japanese word

恩

Pronunciation

Romajion

Meaning

  • noundebt of gratitude

Example

先生への恩を一生忘れません。sen sei e no on o is shō wasu re ma se n

I will never forget my debt of gratitude to my teacher.

Illustration for 恩 (debt of gratitude)

More examples

彼には昔から大きな恩があります。kare ni wa mukashi ka ra ō ki na on ga a ri ma su

I have long owed him a great debt of gratitude.

Core concept

Refers to valuable help or kindness received from another person and remembered with a sense of gratitude and obligation.

Common phrases

  • 恩に着るon ni ki ru

    be grateful for someone's kindness

  • 恩を返すon o kae su

    return a favor

  • 恩を受けるon o u ke ru

    receive someone's kindness

  • 恩を仇で返すon o ada de kae su

    repay kindness with ingratitude

  • 恩を忘れないon o wasu re na i

    never forget a favor

Similar words

恩義ongi: A sense of duty to acknowledge and repay help received from another person.
恩恵onkei: A valuable benefit received through another person or favorable circumstances.
厚意kōi: Goodwill expressed through helpful or considerate treatment.

Definition in Japanese

人から受けた親切や助力をありがたく思い、いつまでも忘れずに報いたいと感じること。hito ka ra u ke ta shin setsu ya jo ryoku o a ri ga ta ku omo i i tsu ma de mo wasu re zu ni muku i ta i to kan ji ru ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese noun 恩 (on, "kindness") is written with the character 恩, which entered Japanese from Chinese with the meaning of a favor received from another person.

Usage tips

  • 恩 (on) often remains relevant even after the original help is over, which gives the word a stronger sense of lasting gratitude than ordinary kindness.

Other meanings

  • favornoun
  • kindnessnoun

Word lists with this word