縁 (yuán) - Fate, predestined relationship & edge, hem, border

縁Tone 2

yuán ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

喻悦

縁 · yuán

Fate, predestined relationship;

edge, hem, border;

reason, cause;

along, following.

Fate, predestined relationshipedge, hem, borderreason, cause

Usage highlights

FateEdgeMarriage tiesCutting tiesChance encounterBorder of a tatami mat

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 無縁— unrelated, without connection

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • They are connected by fate (縁がある).
  • The edge of the table (テーブルの縁).
  • There is no reason to refuse (断る縁がない).
  • Walking along the river (川の縁を歩く).

Collocations

  • Fate(縁)
  • Edge(縁)
  • Marriage ties(縁組)
  • Cutting ties(縁切り)
  • Chance encounter(縁談)
  • Border of a tatami mat(畳の縁)

Idioms

  • A chance encounter is brought about by karma(一期一会の縁)
  • Cutting off ties(縁を切る)
  • Ties of blood(血縁)
  • Predestined relationship(前世の縁)
  • Fate that brings people together(人縁)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Buddhism, 縁 (en) refers to the principle of cause, condition, or relationship that connects all phenomena.
  • The concept is central to Japanese aesthetics and social relations, emphasizing interconnectedness.
  • It is often used in the context of relationships, suggesting they are not accidental but fated.

FAQ