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)

Common expressions

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)

Usage

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 2026.9.2 11:55

02500/02579_kari