縁(えん)

えん
noun
fate, connection, bond
1. fate, destiny
A connection or relationship determined by fate.
縁(えん)があって出会(であ)った。
We met by fate.
これも何(なに)かの縁(えん)だ。
This too must be fate.
彼(かれ)とは不思議(ふしぎ)な縁(えん)があって、何度(なんど)も偶然(ぐうぜん)会(あ)うことがある。
I have a mysterious connection with him and keep running into him by coincidence.
2. connection, bond
A tie or relationship between people.
縁(えん)を切(き)る。
To sever ties.
縁(えん)を大切(たいせつ)にする。
To cherish one's bonds.
人(ひと)との縁(えん)は一度(いちど)切(き)れると、なかなか元(もと)には戻(もど)らない。
Once bonds with people are severed, they are hard to restore.

縁(えん) expresses the idea of a fated or destined connection between people, places, or things. It is a deeply cultural concept, influenced by Buddhist ideas of karmic ties.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 縁(えん)がある: to be fated, to have a connection
  • 縁(えん)がない: to have no connection/fate with
  • 縁(えん)を結(むす)ぶ: to form a bond
  • 縁(えん)を切(き)る: to sever ties
  • 縁(えん)を大切(たいせつ)にする: to cherish one's connections
  • これも何(なに)かの縁(えん)だ: this must be fate

COMPOUNDS:

  • 縁談(えんだん): marriage proposal/arrangement
  • 縁起(えんぎ): omen, luck
  • 無縁(むえん): unrelated, without connection
  • 血縁(けつえん): blood relation
  • 地縁(ちえん): local/geographical ties

ALTERNATE READING:
縁(ふち) means "edge" or "rim" (e.g., 縁(ふち)のある帽子(ぼうし) — a hat with a brim). This is a completely different meaning.

general
Added 2026.1.9 21:46 · Revised 2026.3.27 8:41
02000/02182_en