恩(おん)を売(う)る

おんをうる
expression
to do a favor expecting something in return; to put someone in one's debt
society
1. to do a favor expecting something in return; to deliberately put someone in one's debt
To help someone with the ulterior motive of creating a sense of obligation, so that they will feel indebted and reciprocate later. Viewed negatively as calculating or manipulative.
彼(かれ)は恩(おん)を売(う)るのがうまい。
He's good at putting people in his debt.
恩(おん)を売(う)るつもりでやったわけではない。
I didn't do it with the intention of putting you in my debt.
彼女(かのじょ)は周(まわ)りに恩(おん)を売(う)っておいて、後(あと)で見返(みかえ)りを求(もと)めるタイプだ。
She's the type who does favors for people and then later expects something in return.

Literally "to sell a favor." The commercial metaphor (売(う)る — to sell) highlights the transactional nature of the behavior. In Japanese culture, where 恩(おん) (obligation, debt of gratitude) is a deeply important social concept, deliberately creating such obligations for personal gain is viewed as manipulative.

Common patterns

  • 恩(おん)を売(う)るつもりはない: I don't mean to put you in my debt
  • 恩(おん)を売(う)っておく: to do a favor (with future expectations)
  • 恩(おん)を売(う)るのがうまい: to be skilled at putting people in one's debt

RELATED 恩(おん) EXPRESSIONS:

Related Words

Related: 恩(おん)に着(き)る (to feel grateful)
general
Added 2026.4.28 0:17 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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