1.
compassion; benevolence; mercy; kindness
warm-hearted kindness or mercy shown by someone in a position of authority or power toward those below them
上司の恩情に感謝している。
I'm grateful for my boss's kindness.
恩情をかけてもらった。
I was shown compassion.
裁判官は恩情のある判決を下した。
The judge delivered a merciful verdict.
先生の恩情がなければ、今の自分はなかっただろう。
Without my teacher's benevolence, I wouldn't be who I am today.
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:
- 恩情をかける: to show compassion
- 恩情に報いる: to repay someone's kindness
- 恩情のある判決: a merciful verdict
- 恩情に甘える: to take advantage of someone's kindness
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 恩恵: a blessing or benefit received; focuses on the benefit itself rather than the feeling of compassion
- 慈悲: mercy or compassion; Buddhist overtones, more spiritual than 恩情
- 情け: sympathy or pity; more emotional and personal, less formal
- 温情: warm-hearted consideration; written with different kanji (温) but pronounced the same; the two are sometimes used interchangeably