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.
彼は恩を売るのがうまい。
He's good at putting people in his debt.
恩を売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.
彼女は周りに恩を売っておいて、後で見返りを求めるタイプだ。
She's the type who does favors for people and then later expects something in return.
Literally "to sell a favor." The commercial metaphor (売る — to sell) highlights the transactional nature of the behavior. In Japanese culture, where 恩 (obligation, debt of gratitude) is a deeply important social concept, deliberately creating such obligations for personal gain is viewed as manipulative.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 恩を売るつもりはない: I don't mean to put you in my debt
- 恩を売っておく: to do a favor (with future expectations)
- 恩を売るのがうまい: to be skilled at putting people in one's debt
RELATED 恩 EXPRESSIONS:
- 恩を着せる: to impose a sense of obligation — similar but more forceful
- 恩を返す: to repay a favor
- 恩を忘れる: to forget a kindness received
- 恩に着る: to feel grateful; to feel indebted