Chinese word

感恩

Pronunciation

Pinyingǎn ēn

Meaning

  • verbbe grateful

Example

我很感恩有你。wǒ hěn gǎn ēn yǒu nǐ

I am very grateful to have you.

Illustration for 感恩 (be grateful)

More examples

我们应当常常感恩曾经帮助过自己的人。wǒ men yīng dāng cháng cháng gǎn ēn céng jīng bāng zhù guò zì jǐ de rén

We should always be grateful to those who have helped us before.

Core concept

A warm response to kindness received, combining heartfelt thanks with a wish to acknowledge or return it.

Common phrases

  • 学会感恩xué huì gǎn ēn

    learn to be grateful

  • 感恩老师gǎn ēn lǎo shī

    be grateful to one's teacher

  • 感恩社会gǎn ēn shè huì

    be grateful to society

Similar words

感谢gǎn xiè: Thank someone or show appreciation for their kindness, help, or actions.
感激gǎn jī: Feel a deep sense of gratitude after receiving meaningful help or kindness.
报恩bào ēn: Return a kindness received through words or concrete action.
回报huí bào: Respond to received support or goodwill by offering help or a benefit in return.

Definition in Chinese

因他人的帮助或恩惠而产生感谢之情，并常伴有想要回报或表达谢意的行为。yīn tā rén de bāng zhù huò ēn huì ér chǎn shēng gǎn xiè zhī qíng bìng cháng bàn yǒu xiǎng yào huí bào huò biǎo dá xiè yì de xíng wéi

Word origin

感 (gǎn, "feel") + 恩 (ēn, "favor received") joins an emotional response with a received benefit, forming the idea of recognizing kindness and showing appreciation.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 感恩 (gǎnēn, "deep appreciation") sounds more heartfelt or formal than a routine thank-you, so it often marks a particularly meaningful moment or relationship.

Other meanings

  • gratitudenoun
  • feel indebtedverb

Opposites

  • 忘恩负义wàng ēn fù yìbe ungratefulverb
  • 漠视mò shìignoreverb

Related words

  • 感恩节gǎn ēn jiéThanksgivingnoun
  • 感恩教育gǎn ēn jiào yùgratitude educationnoun

Word lists with this word