ご縁(えん)

Cultural note

ご縁(えん) expresses the Japanese/Buddhist concept that meaningful connections between people come about through fate or circumstance. It's used to appreciate relationships and opportunities that came about seemingly by fate.
At shrines, people often offer 5円(えん) coins because 五円(ごえん) sounds like ご縁(えん), symbolizing a wish for good connections.

Common expressions

• ご縁(えん)がありましたら - if we have a connection/if fate allows
• ご縁(えん)があって - thanks to fate/coincidence
• ご縁(えん)を大切(たいせつ)にする - to cherish connections
• ご縁(えん)がない - not meant to be; to have no connection (with)

Watch out

今回(こんかい)はご縁(えん)がなかったということで is a polite rejection, common in job-application results and in matchmaking: "it wasn't meant to be this time."

Related words

• 縁(えん) - connection, fate
• 縁結(えんむす)び - matchmaking; tying bonds
• 縁起(えんぎ) - omen; origin
• 一期一会(いちごいちえ) - once-in-a-lifetime encounter