義理

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 義理 (ぎり) combines right conduct 義 and principle 理 to express loyalty or social obligation in a relationship.
• Basic usage: It refers to a felt duty toward someone who helped you or toward relatives and social ties.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Relational obligation rather than legal compulsion
  • 義理 often arises from gratitude, kinship, or convention, not from a formally enforceable contract.