How to say "favour" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 恩おんnounA favour seen from the receiver's side as a lasting debt of gratitude or obligation, as when one owes a benefactor, teacher, or parent for what they have done.
- 贔屓ひいきnoun, suru verb, transitive verbFavour as favouritism or patronage: treating a particular person, shop, or performer preferentially because one backs or regularly supports them.
- 恩恵おんけいnounA favour in the sense of a blessing or benefit bestowed, as with the blessings of nature or the benefits a policy confers on people.
- noun, noun (suffix)Not a favour done for someone but favour in the sense of popularity: how well a person, remark, or performance is received, as in being well liked by an audience.
- 好意こういnounA favour as a kind act done for someone out of goodwill or friendliness, such as helping a neighbour or running an errand for a friend.
Choose by sense: 好意 for a kind act done for someone, 恩 for a favour felt as a debt of gratitude, 恩恵 for a blessing or benefit bestowed, 贔屓 for patronage or favouritism, and 「うけ」 for popularity.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 恩おんfavour
- 贔屓ひいきfavour
- 恩恵おんけいgrace
- うけpopularity
- 好意こういkindness
- 頼みたのみrequest
- 恩典おんてんfavour
- 恩義おんぎobligation
- お願いおねがいrequest
- 賛成さんせいapproval
- 厚意こういkindness (shown by others)
- 冥利みょうりprovidence
- 頼みごとたのみごとfavour
- 歓心かんしんfavour
- 恩顧おんこfavour
- 恩沢おんたくfavour
- 知遇ちぐうfavour
- 芳恩ほうおんfavour
- 寵愛ちょうあいfavor
- 愛顧あいこpatronage
- 恩寵おんちょうgrace
- 寵ちょうfavor
- 引き立てひきたてfavor
- 厚情こうじょうkindness
- 贔屓にするひいきにするto favor
- 気受けきうけpopularity
- 寵幸ちょうこうfavor
- 愛寵あいちょうfavor
- ご愛顧ごあいこpatronage
- 恵沢けいたくblessing
- 目をかけるめをかけるto look after
- くださるto kindly do for one
- 貸しかしfavor
- 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
See also
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