1.
repaying kindness; returning a favor; showing gratitude through actions
The act of repaying someone's kindness or generosity, especially toward parents, teachers, or benefactors. A concept rooted in Buddhist and Confucian ethics that emphasizes the moral obligation to reciprocate kindness received.
師への報恩の気持ちを忘れない。
I never forget my feeling of gratitude toward my teacher.
報恩のために地域のボランティアに参加している。
I participate in local volunteer work to repay the kindness I've received.
親への報恩として、立派な社会人になることが一番だと思う。
I think the best way to repay my parents' kindness is to become a respectable member of society.
Composed of 報 (repay, requite) + 恩 (favor, kindness, obligation). A concept deeply rooted in Buddhist and Confucian thought, where receiving kindness creates a moral debt that should be repaid. The idea of 恩 (indebtedness for kindness) is central to Japanese social ethics.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 報恩の気持ち: feeling of wanting to repay kindness
- 報恩感謝: gratitude and repayment
- 報恩講: thanksgiving gathering (Buddhist)
RELATED TERMS:
- 恩返し: returning a favor — the everyday equivalent; commonly used in folktales
- 恩: obligation, kindness received — the broader concept of social indebtedness
- 感謝: gratitude — feeling thankful, without the emphasis on repayment
- 恩義: debt of gratitude — the sense of owing someone for their kindness