恩
Significado: A debt of gratitude; a favour owed that creates a moral obligation to reciprocate.
恩 is a weight that accumulates — every kindness received becomes an obligation to repay. Unlike casual gratitude, 恩 implies a lasting moral debt. It governs relationships between parents and children (親の恩), teachers and students (先生の恩), and benefactors and recipients. Forgetting 恩 is one of the most serious character failings in Japanese ethics.
Ejemplos
- 親の恩は一生かけても返しきれない。 父母的养育之恩,用一辈子也还不完。La deuda con los padres no se puede saldar ni en toda una vida.부모님의 은혜는 평생을 다해도 다 갚을 수 없어.
- 先生には大きな恩があるから、頼まれたら断れない。 欠老师很大的人情,所以他开口拜托的事没法拒绝。Le debo mucho a mi profesor, así que si me pide algo no puedo negarme.선생님께 큰 은혜를 입었으니까, 부탁받으면 거절할 수가 없어.
- 恩を忘れるような人にはなりたくない。 我不想做忘恩负义的人。No quiero ser de esas personas que olvidan los favores recibidos.은혜를 잊는 사람이 되고 싶지 않아.
Pronunciación
/oɴ/
Guía de uso
Contexto: gratitude, moral discussion, family, mentor relationships
Tono: serious, grateful, weighty
✓ Correcto
- 恩は忘れないよ、いつか必ず返す (I won't forget this favour — I'll definitely repay it someday)这份恩情我不会忘,总有一天一定会报答(I won't forget this favour — I'll definitely repay it someday)No olvidaré este favor; algún día te lo devolveré sin falta.은혜는 잊지 않을게, 언젠가 꼭 갚을게 (I won't forget this favour — I'll definitely repay it someday)
- 先輩に受けた恩を後輩に返していきたい (I want to pass on the kindness my seniors showed me to my juniors)我想把前辈给我的恩情传递给后辈们(I want to pass on the kindness my seniors showed me to my juniors)Quiero devolver a los más jóvenes la bondad que recibí de mis mayores.선배한테 받은 은혜를 후배한테 돌려주고 싶어 (I want to pass on the kindness my seniors showed me to my juniors)
✗ Incorrecto
- 些細なことで「恩があるだろ」と迫るのは恩着せがましい (Pressuring someone with 'you owe me' over trivial things is guilt-tripping)为了一点小事就逼人说'你欠我人情',这就是挟恩图报(Pressuring someone with 'you owe me' over trivial things is guilt-tripping)Presionar a alguien con «me debes un favor» por nimiedades es hacer chantaje emocional.사소한 일로 '은혜 입었잖아'라고 압박하는 건 은혜를 내세우는 짓이다 (Pressuring someone with 'you owe me' over trivial things is guilt-tripping)
Errores comunes
- Treating 恩 as a casual 'thanks' — it implies a serious moral obligation, not just appreciation
- Not understanding the weight of 恩 in Japanese relationships — forgetting someone's 恩 is considered a grave character flaw
Origen e historia
From Chinese 恩 (grace/favour). In Japanese Confucian and Buddhist ethics, 恩 creates a moral obligation chain — receiving kindness obligates you to reciprocate. The concept deeply structures Japanese interpersonal relationships and social morality.
Contexto cultural
Era: Confucian/Buddhist origins, fundamental Japanese moral concept
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. A cornerstone of Japanese moral philosophy that structures relationships between parents-children, teachers-students, and benefactors-recipients.
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