恩 (ēn) - Kindness, grace, favor, benevolence & used to express gratitude or deep affection.

恩Tone 1

ēn ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

念悦

恩 · ēn

Kindness, grace, favor, benevolence;

used to express gratitude or deep affection.

Kindness, grace, favor, benevolenceused to express gratitude or deep affection.

Usage highlights

Grace and favorDeep affectionGratitudeKindness and virtueFavor and righteousnessSpecial pardon

Synonyms

  • 惠— favor, benefit
  • 慈— compassion, mercy
  • 仁— benevolence, humanity

Antonyms

  • 怨— resentment, grudge
  • 仇— hatred, enmity
  • 恨— hatred, resentment

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I am grateful for your kindness (感恩).
  • He received special favor from his superior (恩宠).
  • The couple has deep affection (恩爱).
  • We should repay kindness with kindness (恩恩相报).

Collocations

  • Grace and favor(恩宠)
  • Deep affection(恩爱)
  • Gratitude(感恩)
  • Kindness and virtue(恩德)
  • Favor and righteousness(恩义)
  • Special pardon(恩赦)

Idioms

  • Deep kindness and weighty favor(恩深义重)
  • Forgot kindness and betrayed righteousness(忘恩负义)
  • Know gratitude and repay kindness(知恩图报)
  • Kindness as immense as a mountain(恩重如山)
  • Grace spreads in all directions(恩泽四方)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Confucian ethics, 'en' represents the moral obligation of reciprocity in relationships.
  • The concept is central to Chinese social relations, emphasizing mutual care between ruler-subject, parent-child, and friends.
  • In Buddhism, 'en' extends to compassion for all sentient beings and gratitude for the kindness received.

FAQ