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Kotomora

恩

grace, kindness, goodness, favor, mercy, blessing, benefit

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · grade 6FrequencyTop 2,000Strokes10

Readings

On'yomi

  • オン

Kun'yomi

—

Nanori

  • めぐみ

Meaning

恩 centers on a deep, benevolent kindness that comes from someone else: grace, favor, mercy, or a blessing that benefits the receiver.

Most common words using 恩

20 of 81
  • 恩おん
    N3

    favour; favor; obligation; debt of gratitude

  • 恩恵おんけい
    N2

    grace; favor; favour; blessing; benefit

  • 恩返しおんがえし
    N1

    paying back a favour; repayment (of an obligation, kindness, etc.)

  • 恩赦おんしゃ

    amnesty; pardon

  • 恩人おんじん
    N1

    benefactor; patron; person to whom one owes a great deal; person to whom one is (deeply) indebted

  • 恩師おんし
    N1

    teacher (to whom one owes a debt of gratitude); mentor; one's former teacher

  • 恩義おんぎ

    obligation; favour; favor; debt of gratitude

  • 恩寵おんちょう

    grace; favour; favor

  • 恩賜おんし

    Imperial gift

  • 謝恩しゃおん

    (expression of) gratitude

  • 報恩ほうおん

    repaying a kindness; gratitude

  • 恩知らずおんしらず
    N1

    ungrateful

  • 恩賞おんしょう

    reward

  • 恩給おんきゅう

    pension (esp. public servant's)

  • 恩顧おんこ

    favour; favor; patronage

  • 恩典おんてん

    favour; favor; act of grace; special privilege

  • 恩地おんち

    land received in compensation for one's service; land given by a lord to a vassal for his service

  • 謝恩会しゃおんかい

    thank-you party

  • あふるる恩寵あふるるおんちょう

    Grace Abounding (autobiography by John Bunyan)

  • ご恩ごおん

    (received) favor, kindness or blessing (favour)

Explore all words using 恩 →

Study

Etymology

恩 combines 因 (cause, reason) and 心 (heart), suggesting a heartfelt reason or a kindness that comes from the heart. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the component relationship is well established.

Meaning mnemonic

The top part 因 looks like a person enclosed, and the bottom 心 is the heart. Picture someone trapped in a difficult situation, and another person's heart reaches out to help—that's grace and kindness.

Reading mnemonic

For オン, imagine receiving a great kindness that feels like being switched 'on' to a warm, glowing light: on -> オン, and the favor lights up your heart.