恩
grace, kindness, goodness, favor, mercy, blessing, benefit
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)
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.