恩情(おんじょう)

A formal word for kindness or mercy that flows from someone in a higher position to someone below. It carries a traditional, somewhat old-fashioned tone and is associated with hierarchical relationships such as lord-vassal, teacher-student, or judge-defendant.

Common collocations

• 恩情(おんじょう)をかける: to show compassion
• 恩情(おんじょう)に報(むく)いる: to repay someone's kindness
• 恩情(おんじょう)のある判決(はんけつ): a merciful verdict
• 恩情(おんじょう)に甘(あま)える: to take advantage of someone's kindness

Similar words

• 恩恵(おんけい): a blessing or benefit received; focuses on the benefit itself rather than the feeling of compassion
• 慈悲(じひ): mercy or compassion; Buddhist overtones, more spiritual than 恩情(おんじょう)
• 情(なさ)け: sympathy or pity; more emotional and personal, less formal
• 温情(おんじょう): warm-hearted consideration; written with different kanji (温(おん)) but pronounced the same; the two are sometimes used interchangeably