借(か)り

かり
noun
borrowing, debt, loan
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

Pair verb: 借(か)りる (to borrow (verb))
Antonym: 貸(か)し (lending)
general
Added 2026.1.11 19:26 · Revised 2026.1.20 15:02
02500/02579_kari