How to say "favor" in Japanese

• 恩おんJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounA favor received that one feels bound to repay — a debt of gratitude rather than a casual kindness. It fits gratitude owed to a parent, teacher, or benefactor, not a small errand.
  お前まえは恩おんを仇あだで返かえしたな。↗

  You bit the hand that fed you.
• 恩恵おんけいJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounA benefit or blessing bestowed on someone, as by nature, providence, or a benefactor; it matches 'grace' and 'blessing' more than a personal favor done at someone's request.
  オーストラリア人おーすとらりあじんは全体ぜんたいとして政治せいじシステムが安定あんていしていることによる恩恵おんけいに満足まんぞくしている。↗

  Australians are, on the whole, pleased with the stabilizing benefits of their political system.
• うけCommon
  noun, noun (suffix)Rarely the word for a favor you do or ask; it really means popularity or the reception something gets — how well an idea, performance, or person goes over with others.
• 好意こういJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounThe kindly feeling behind a kind act: goodwill, friendliness. Use it when 'favor' means something done for someone out of kindness rather than a request being granted or a debt incurred.
  リッチ氏しは彼女かのじょの好意こういに感謝かんしゃした。↗

  Mr Rich acknowledged her favor.
• 頼みたのみJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounA favor in the sense of a request: something you ask another person to do. This is the word for 'Can I ask a favor?' — the thing requested, not the kindness behind it.
  ちょっとおたのみがあるんですが。↗

  Would you do something for me?

Use 「頼み」 for a favor you ask of someone, 好意 for kindness behind a kind act, 恩 for a favor felt as a debt of gratitude, 恩恵 for blessings bestowed, and 「うけ」 for popularity or reception.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 恩おんfavour
• 恩恵おんけいgrace
• うけpopularity
• 好意こういkindness
• 頼みたのみrequest
• 贔屓ひいきfavour
• 厚意こういkindness (shown by others)
• 恩義おんぎobligation
• 冥利みょうりprovidence
• 恩典おんてんfavour
• 賛成さんせいapproval
• 寵愛ちょうあいfavor
• 寵ちょうfavor
• 引き立てひきたてfavor
• 贔屓にするひいきにするto favor
• 寵幸ちょうこうfavor
• 眷顧けんこfavor
• 愛寵あいちょうfavor
• 愛顧あいこpatronage
• 頼みごとたのみごとfavour
• 恩寵おんちょうgrace
• 恵沢けいたくblessing
• 歓心かんしんfavour
• 厚情こうじょうkindness
• 恩顧おんこfavour
• 恩沢おんたくfavour
• 知遇ちぐうfavour
• 気受けきうけpopularity
• 魚心うおごころkindness
• 芳恩ほうおんfavour
• 目をかけるめをかけるto look after
• 優遇措置ゆうぐうそちpreferential treatment
• ご愛顧ごあいこpatronage
• 貸しかしfavor
• くださるto kindly do for one
• 引き立てるひきたてるto support
• 通りとおりreputation
• 潤いうるおいblessing