因縁
also: いんえん
Meanings
A more general sense of a link or relationship, sometimes with a nuance of historical or causal origin. Can be used for both positive and negative ties.
We need to investigate the origins of this incident.
The ties between the two families have lasted for generations.
pretext; justification; excuse
Often used in negative contexts where someone uses a past connection or grudge as a pretext for conflict. Common in 因縁をつける (to pick a fight on a pretext).
He picked a fight with me on some pretext.
It's wrong to blame someone on such a flimsy excuse.
hetu and prataya; direct and indirect causes
Buddhist technical term for the direct and indirect causes underlying all phenomena. Rare outside specialized contexts.
Buddhism teaches that all phenomena arise through direct and indirect causes.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉と因縁があるto have a fated/karmic connection with someone
It seems there's a karmic connection between him and me going back to a past life.
- 因縁の〈相手〉a fated rival/nemesis
He's my fated rival of ten years.
- 〈事〉との因縁a connection/tie to something (often historical)
There's a deep connection between this land and my family line.
- 因縁を感じるto feel a fated connection
Even though we'd just met, I somehow felt a fated connection.
Expressions
- 因縁をつけるpick a fight; invent a pretext for a quarrel