favor · grace

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 恩 has 10 strokes and the on-reading おん. 恩 (おん) means kindness or a favor received from someone.
• Basic usage: 恩 names the help received; 恩返し (おんがえし) means repaying that kindness.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Received kindness and repayment
  • 先生の恩を忘れない means not forgetting a teacher's kindness. 受けた恩を次の世代へ返したい expresses a wish to pass the kindness received on to the next generation.
  • 祖父母に恩返しをしたい means wanting to repay one's grandparents' kindness. 鶴が恩返しに来る describes a crane that received help coming to return the favor in a folktale.