義理(ぎり)

ぎり
noun
social obligation, duty
1. social obligation, moral duty, sense of duty
A sense of obligation or duty arising from social relationships, customs, or debts of gratitude. A core concept in Japanese interpersonal relationships.
義理(ぎり)を果(は)たす。
To fulfill one's social obligation.
義理(ぎり)チョコを配(くば)る。
To hand out obligatory chocolates.
On Valentine's Day, women give 義理(ぎり)チョコ (obligation chocolates) to male coworkers and acquaintances as a social courtesy.
お世話(せわ)になった人(ひと)への義理(ぎり)を欠(か)くわけにはいかない。
I can't neglect my obligations to someone who has helped me.
2. in-law (as prefix)
When used as a prefix before family terms, indicates a relationship by marriage rather than blood.
義理(ぎり)の母(はは)はとても優(やさ)しい人(ひと)だ。
My mother-in-law is a very kind person.
義理(ぎり)の兄(あに)と初(はじ)めて会(あ)った。
I met my brother-in-law for the first time.
義理(ぎり)の父(ちち)とはうまくやっている。
I get along well with my father-in-law.

Forms

義(ぎ) (righteousness, justice) + 理(り) (reason, principle) = moral principle in social relations.

Cultural note

義理(ぎり) is a fundamental concept in Japanese social relations, representing the web of mutual obligations that bind people. It often contrasts with 人情(にんじょう) (human feeling/emotion). The tension between 義理(ぎり) (duty) and 人情(にんじょう) (personal feelings) is a recurring theme in Japanese literature and drama.

Compounds

  • 義理(ぎり)チョコ: obligatory Valentine's chocolate
  • 義理(ぎり)堅(がた)い: faithful to one's obligations, dutiful
  • 義理(ぎり)の父(ちち)/母(はは): father-in-law / mother-in-law
  • 義理(ぎり)の兄弟(きょうだい): brother/sister-in-law

Common collocations

Related Words

Compare: 人情(にんじょう) (human feeling, emotion)
Compare: 恩義(おんぎ) (obligation)
Compare: 忠義(ちゅうぎ) (loyalty)
Compare: 義侠(ぎきょう) (chivalry)
general
Added 2026.2.11 18:22 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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