負い目
Meanings
1
feeling of indebtedness; sense of obligation
Refers to a psychological burden or guilt from feeling one owes someone, often used in phrases like 負い目を感じる (to feel indebted).
Ever since he helped me, I've felt a sense of indebtedness.
When you feel indebted, it's hard to speak your mind.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉に負い目を感じるto feel indebted to someone
I still feel indebted to the friend who helped me.
- 負い目があるto have a sense of indebtedness or guilt
He has a lingering sense of guilt for the trouble he caused as a child.
- 負い目を抱えるto carry a feeling of indebtedness or guilt
She has lived carrying a sense of guilt toward her family.
- 負い目から解放されるto be freed from a sense of indebtedness
After finally paying off the debt, I was freed from that nagging sense of obligation.