報恩(ほうおん)

ほうおん
noun
repaying kindness; returning a favor
formalculturereligion
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(し)への報恩(ほうおん)の気持(きも)ちを忘(わす)れない。
I never forget my feeling of gratitude toward my teacher.
報恩(ほうおん)のために地域(ちいき)のボランティアに参加(さんか)している。
I participate in local volunteer work to repay the kindness I've received.
親(おや)への報恩(ほうおん)として、立派(りっぱ)な社会人(しゃかいじん)になることが一番(いちばん)だと思(おも)う。
I think the best way to repay my parents' kindness is to become a respectable member of society.

Composed of 報(ほう) (repay, requite) + 恩(おん) (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(おん) (indebtedness for kindness) is central to Japanese social ethics.

Common collocations

  • 報恩(ほうおん)の気持(きも)ち: feeling of wanting to repay kindness
  • 報恩(ほうおん)感謝(かんしゃ): gratitude and repayment
  • 報恩(ほうおん)講(こう): thanksgiving gathering (Buddhist)

Related words

  • 恩返(おんがえ)し: returning a favor — the everyday equivalent; commonly used in folktales
  • 恩(おん): obligation, kindness received — the broader concept of social indebtedness
  • 感謝(かんしゃ): gratitude — feeling thankful, without the emphasis on repayment
  • 恩義(おんぎ): debt of gratitude — the sense of owing someone for their kindness

Related Words

Related: 恩返(おんがえ)し (returning a favor)
Related: 感謝(かんしゃ) (gratitude)
Related: 恩義(おんぎ) (debt of gratitude)
general
Added 2026.4.7 2:30 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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