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Learning Japanese


Japanese Proverbs & Sayings

On o Ada de Kaesu




Last update January 5, 2020

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return evil for good

On o Ada de Kaesu

恩を仇で返す

Words: On = debt, favor / o = accusative joshi particle / Ada = hostility, grudge / de = instrumental joshi particle / 返す Kaesu = return

Pronunciation: [oh-n-oh-ah-dah-deh-kah-eh-sue] 

English Equivalent: bite the hand that feeds

Notes: Used to say someone returns the other’s kindness with hatred or repay their debt with harm. Also, it’s another way to say Kai Inu ni Te o Kamareru.
Taro says his protégé betrayed him and it’s a typical case of On o Ada de Kaesu.


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