借(か)り

かり

noun

borrowing, debt, loan

See also: 借(か)りる (verb form)

1. borrowing, debt

The act of borrowing something; a debt owed to someone.

彼(かれ)には借(か)りがある。

I owe him (I have a debt to him).

借(か)りを返(かえ)す。

To repay a debt.

Also figurative: repay a favor

貸(か)し借(か)りなしにしよう。

Let's call it even (no debts between us).

2. obligation, debt of gratitude

A figurative debt; feeling indebted to someone for a favor.

彼(かれ)には借(か)りがある。

I owe him (I have a debt to him).

借(か)りを返(かえ)す。

To repay a debt.

Also figurative: repay a favor

貸(か)し借(か)りなしにしよう。

Let's call it even (no debts between us).

借(か)り is the noun form of 借(か)りる (to borrow). It indicates borrowing or debt.

COMMON PATTERNS:

借(か)りがある (to owe, to be indebted)
借(か)りを返(かえ)す (to repay a debt/favor)
借(か)りを作(つく)る (to create a debt)

IDIOMATIC USAGE:

貸(か)し借(か)り (lending and borrowing; debts)
貸(か)し借(か)りなし (no debts, even)
恩(おん)の借(か)り (debt of gratitude)

NUANCE:

Can refer to both physical loans and figurative obligations
借(か)りを返(かえ)す often means repaying a favor, not just money

Related Words

Antonym: 貸(か)し (lending)

general

Added 2026.1.11 19:26 · Revised 2026.5.21 23:32

02500/02579_kari