縁(えん)

えん

noun

fate, connection, bond

abstract

See also: ご縁(えん) (polite form)

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

Watch out

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.

Related Words

Related: 巡(めぐ)り合(あ)わせ (chance)

Compare: よすが (means of support)

general

Added 2026.1.9 21:46 · Revised 2026.10.4 22:02

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