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道Nihongo Path
恩

恩·favor, kindness

On-yomi
オン
Kun-yomi
none

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

10 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
恩人おんじんbenefactor
恩恵おんけいbenefit, blessing
恩返しおんがえしrepaying a kindness
恩師おんしone's former teacher, mentor

Example sentences

  1. 彼は私の命の恩人だ。

    かれはわたしのいのちのおんじんだ。

    He is the man who saved my life.

  2. いつか恩返しをしたい。

    いつかおんがえしをしたい。

    Someday I want to repay the kindness.

  3. 私たちは自然の恩恵を受けている。

    わたしたちはしぜんのおんけいをうけている。

    We receive the blessings of nature.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 恩師 as おんじ — it is おんし
  • Confusing 恩恵 (benefit received) with 恵み (めぐみ, a blessing given)

Memory aid

Picture it

A heart 心 beneath 因 'cause' — the kindness someone did for you lies at the root of what you feel toward them.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5

What does the kanji 恩 mean?