義理
의미: Social obligation or duty; the sense of indebtedness that compels you to reciprocate favours and maintain social bonds.
義理 governs much of Japanese social interaction, from giving return gifts to attending funerals of distant acquaintances. It can feel burdensome (義理で行く = going out of obligation) but also serves as social glue. In modern casual speech, 義理 often appears with a slightly weary or resigned tone, acknowledging the weight of social expectations.
예문
- 義理で参加してるだけだから早く帰りたい。 只是碍于人情去参加的，想早点回来。Solo estoy aquí por obligación, así que me quiero ir pronto.의무감으로 참석한 것뿐이라 빨리 가고 싶어.
- 義理を欠くわけにはいかないから、お返しちゃんとしないと。 不能失了礼数，回礼一定要好好准备。No puedo faltar a mi obligación social, así que tengo que devolver el favor como es debido.의리를 저버릴 수는 없으니까, 답례를 제대로 해야 해.
- 義理堅い人だから、絶対に恩は忘れないよ。 他是个很重义气的人，绝对不会忘恩负义。Es una persona muy fiel a sus obligaciones, nunca olvida un favor.의리 있는 사람이라 은혜를 절대 잊지 않아.
발음
/ɡi.ɾi/
사용 가이드
맥락: social obligations, gift-giving, workplace relationships, cultural discussion
어조: dutiful, sometimes resigned
✓ 올바른 표현
- 義理堅いね、ちゃんとお返ししてて (You're so dutiful, properly giving return gifts)你真重义气，回礼都好好准备（你真讲义气，礼数做得很周全）義理堅いね、ちゃんとお返ししてて (Qué cumplidor eres, devolviendo los favores como corresponde)義理堅いね、ちゃんとお返ししてて (의리가 있네, 제대로 답례하고)
- 義理で行くんだけど正直めんどくさい (I'm going out of obligation but honestly it's a hassle)碍于人情不得不去，但说实话挺烦的（是人情得去，但说真的挺麻烦的）義理で行くんだけど正直めんどくさい (Voy por obligación, pero la verdad es que me da pereza)義理で行くんだけど正直めんどくさい (의무감으로 가긴 하는데 솔직히 귀찮아)
✗ 잘못된 표현
- 「義理で来ました」と本人の前で言うのは失礼 (Saying 'I came out of obligation' in front of the person is rude)当着别人的面说「我是碍于人情才来的」很失礼「義理で来ました」と本人の前で言うのは失礼 (Decir «he venido por obligación» delante de la persona es una falta de respeto)본인 앞에서 '의리로 왔습니다'라고 말하는 것은 실례다
흔한 실수
- Confusing 義理 with genuine affection — 義理 specifically implies doing something because social norms require it
- Not understanding compound words like 義理チョコ or 義理堅い where 義理 modifies the meaning significantly
기원과 역사
From Confucian ethics: 義 (righteousness/justice) + 理 (reason/logic). Central to the Japanese social contract, governing reciprocal obligations. Extensively studied by Ruth Benedict in 'The Chrysanthemum and the Sword' (1946).
문화적 배경
Era: Confucian origins, foundational to Japanese social structure
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Understanding 義理 is essential for navigating Japanese social and business relationships.
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