恩返(おんがえ)し

おんがえし
noun
returning a favor, repaying kindness
1. returning a favor, repaying kindness
The act of doing something good for someone in return for kindness or help they previously provided.
恩返(おんがえ)しがしたい。
I want to repay the favor.
育(そだ)ててくれた親(おや)に恩返(おんがえ)しをする。
I repay the kindness of my parents who raised me.
お世話(せわ)になった先生(せんせい)への恩返(おんがえ)しとして、母校(ぼこう)で講演(こうえん)を行(おこな)った。
As a way of repaying my teacher's kindness, I gave a lecture at my alma mater.

Usage

Typically used with する (恩返(おんがえ)しをする) or as a modifier (恩返(おんがえ)しの気持(きも)ち). Carries a strong emotional weight — it implies deep gratitude and a sense of moral obligation to reciprocate.

Cultural note

恩返(おんがえ)し is a deeply rooted concept in Japanese culture and appears frequently in folk tales. The classic story 鶴(つる)の恩返(おんがえ)し (The Crane's Return of a Favor) is one of the most well-known examples, where a crane repays a man's kindness by weaving beautiful cloth.

Common collocations

  • 恩返(おんがえ)しをする: to return a favor
  • 恩返(おんがえ)しの気持(きも)ち: feeling of wanting to repay kindness
  • 親(おや)への恩返(おんがえ)し: repaying one's parents

Related Words

Related: 見返(みかえ)り (something in return)
Related: 恩人(おんじん) (benefactor, person to whom one owes gratitude)
Related: 恩知(おんし)らず (ungrateful)
Compare: 恩義(おんぎ) (obligation)
Related: 報恩(ほうおん) (repaying kindness)
general
Added 2026.2.13 14:17 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
11000/11063_ongaeshi