因 果 応 報(いんがおうほう)

いんがおうほう

noun

karma; divine retribution; what goes around comes around

1. karma; divine retribution

The Buddhist concept that good deeds bring good results and bad deeds bring bad results. Used to express the idea that one's actions inevitably have consequences.

因果応報(いんがおうほう)で、彼(かれ)は自分(じぶん)のした悪事(あくじ)の報(むく)いを受(う)けた。

Through karma, he faced the consequences of his misdeeds.

因果応報(いんがおうほう)を信(しん)じているので、善行(ぜんこう)を心(こころ)がけている。

Since I believe in karma, I try to do good deeds.

これも因果応報(いんがおうほう)というものだ。

This is what they call karma.

LITERAL MEANING:
因(いん) (cause) + 果(か) (result) + 応(おう) (response) + 報(ほう) (retribution)
"Cause and effect respond with retribution"

ORIGIN:
From Buddhist teachings about karma, where one's actions (cause) inevitably lead to results (effect), whether in this life or the next.

USAGE:
Used when bad things happen to someone who has done wrong, or to emphasize that good actions will eventually be rewarded. Can be used seriously or somewhat sarcastically.

RELATED EXPRESSIONS:

自業自得(じごうじとく): you reap what you sow
身(み)から出(で)た錆(さび): problems of one's own making

Related Words

Related: 自業自得(じごうじとく) (you reap what you sow)

general

Added 2026.1.17 2:23 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17

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