因縁(いんねん)

いんねん
noun
fate; karma; origin; pretext; connection from past lives
1. fate; karma; destiny; connection from past lives
A connection or relationship that stems from karma or past lives. In Buddhist philosophy, the chain of cause and effect that connects people or events.
これも何(なに)かの因縁(いんねん)だろう。
This must be some kind of fate.
2. origin; history; background
The origin, history, or circumstances behind something - how something came to be.
この寺(てら)には深(ふか)い因縁(いんねん)がある。
This temple has a deep history/origin.
3. pretext; excuse; complaint (to pick a fight)
An excuse or pretext used to start a confrontation or make a complaint, often unreasonable.
因縁(いんねん)をつけられて困(こま)った。
I was troubled when they picked a fight with me over nothing.

BUDDHIST ORIGIN:
因(いん) (cause) + 縁(えん) (connection/condition)

From Buddhist philosophy: 因(いん) is the direct cause, while 縁(えん) is the supporting condition. Together they explain why things happen as they do.

MEANING DISTINCTIONS:

1. FATE/KARMA:

Refers to connections or events that seem destined:

  • 因縁(いんねん)の対決(たいけつ) - fateful confrontation
  • 因縁(いんねん)の相手(あいて) - destined rival

2. ORIGIN/HISTORY:

  • 因縁(いんねん)のある場所(ばしょ) - place with a history
  • 由来(ゆらい)/来歴(らいれき) are similar

3. PRETEXT (negative):

  • 因縁(いんねん)をつける - to pick a fight, to make trouble

This usage is colloquial and negative.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 因縁(いんねん)を感(かん)じる - to feel a fated connection
  • 因縁(いんねん)の対決(たいけつ) - a destined showdown
  • 因縁(いんねん)をつける - to pick a quarrel
  • 因縁(いんねん)を断(た)ち切(き)る - to break the karmic bond

REGISTER:
Neutral. Senses 1-2 can be literary; sense 3 is colloquial.

general
Added 2026.1.19 22:50
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