恩(おん)

おん
noun
favor, debt of gratitude
1. favor, kindness, obligation
A benefit or kindness received from someone that creates a sense of indebtedness.
先生(せんせい)の恩(おん)は忘(わす)れません。
I will never forget my teacher's kindness.
恩(おん)を仇(あだ)で返(かえ)す。
To repay kindness with ingratitude.
Common idiom for betrayal
親(おや)の恩(おん)に報(むく)いる。
To repay one's parents' kindness.
子供(こども)の頃(ころ)に受(う)けた恩(おん)を、大人(おとな)になってから返(かえ)したい。
I want to repay the kindness I received as a child, now that I am an adult.
2. debt of gratitude
The feeling of obligation to repay kindness received.
先生(せんせい)の恩(おん)は忘(わす)れません。
I will never forget my teacher's kindness.
恩(おん)を仇(あだ)で返(かえ)す。
To repay kindness with ingratitude.
Common idiom for betrayal
親(おや)の恩(おん)に報(むく)いる。
To repay one's parents' kindness.
命(いのち)の恩(おん)がある人(ひと)を裏切(うらぎ)ることはできない。
I cannot betray someone to whom I owe my life.
子供(こども)の頃(ころ)に受(う)けた恩(おん)を、大人(おとな)になってから返(かえ)したい。
I want to repay the kindness I received as a child, now that I am an adult.

恩(おん) refers to a favor or kindness received that creates a sense of obligation. It is an important concept in Japanese culture.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 恩(おん)を受(う)ける (to receive a favor)
  • 恩(おん)を感(かん)じる (to feel indebted)
  • 恩(おん)に報(むく)いる (to repay a favor)
  • 恩(おん)を忘(わす)れない (to never forget someone's kindness)
  • 恩(おん)を返(かえ)す (to repay a favor)

IDIOMS:

  • 恩(おん)を仇(あだ)で返(かえ)す (repay kindness with ingratitude)
  • 恩(おん)に着(き)る (to feel obligated for a favor)

COMPOUND WORDS:

  • 恩人(おんじん) (benefactor)
  • 恩返(おんがえ)し (returning a favor)
  • 恩恵(おんけい) (grace, blessing)

CULTURAL NOTE: The concept of 恩(おん) is central to Japanese social relationships, emphasizing the importance of reciprocity and gratitude.

Related Words

Related: 恩人(おんじん) (benefactor)
core
Added 2026.1.11 18:46 · Revised 2026.4.2 17:34
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