貸し
Meanings
1
General term for lending or renting out something, often used in compound words like 貸し出し or 貸し切り.
The library lends out books.
This store stopped renting videos.
2
favor; obligation; debt of gratitude
Refers to a favor done for someone, creating a sense of indebtedness. Common in phrases like 貸しがある (I am owed a favor) or 貸しを作る (to put someone in one's debt).
He owes me a favor, so I'll ask him for help next time.
I don't want to be indebted to that person.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉に貸しがあるto have a favor owed to you by someone
Tanaka owes me a favor.
- 〈人〉に貸しを作るto do someone a favor, putting them in your debt
I helped my struggling coworker, so now he owes me one.
- 貸しにしておくto let something go for now, treating it as a favor owed
I'll let it slide this time—you owe me one.
Expressions
- 貸し借りなしeven; square; owing nothing to each other
- 庇を貸して母屋を取られるgive an inch and they take a mile; kindness repaid with ingratitude