How to Say "Grudge" in Japanese

恨み

urami[ɯ̟ɾa̠mʲi]

The English word "grudge" is translated into Japanese as 恨み (urami).

恨み is a noun used to describe a deep-seated animosity.

Meaning: deep seated animosity (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The noun 恨み comes from the verb 恨む, which means to resent or to hold a grudge against someone.

urami

The concept of a grudge is closely tied to the idea of 'on', which refers to a heavy burden of obligation or favor. If someone fails to repay an 'on', that debt can transform into a deep 恨み.
Japanese folklore often features the 'Onryō', which are vengeful spirits born from a powerful 恨み. These spirits are not just ghosts, but personifications of the resentment left behind by the deceased.
The phrase 恨みっこなし is often used during games or bets to mean 'no hard feelings' or 'no grudges' once the outcome is decided.

君にはなんの恨みもない。
I bear no grudge against you.
This sentence shows how to express that one bears no grudge against someone using 恨み.
Tatoeba #178678 by KK_kaku_, translation #17530 by Zifre
リサはスタンに恨みがある。
Lisa bears a grudge against Stan.
This sentence demonstrates how to say someone bears a grudge against another person using 恨み.
Tatoeba #192538 by bunbuku, translation #29702 by CP
食べ物の恨みは恐ろしいんだからね！
Because a food grudge is terrifying, isn't it?
This sentence uses 恨み in a common Japanese expression regarding the terrifying nature of a grudge involving food.
Tatoeba #1184138 by bunbuku, translation #6106080 by peterius
3 more sentences on Tatoeba

Himari and Hiroto are talking about a former friend.

陽葵 Himari

彼にまだ恨みがあるの？
Kare ni mada urami ga aru no?
Do you still hold a grudge against him?
大翔 Hiroto

もうないよ。もう許したから。
Mou nai yo. Mou yurushita kara.
I don't anymore. I already forgave him.
陽葵 Himari

そうなんだ。よかったね。
Sou nanda. Yokatta ne.
I see. That's good.
大翔 Hiroto

恨みを持ち続けるのは疲れるしね。
Urami o mochitsuzukeru no wa tsukareru shi ne.
Holding onto a grudge is tiring, after all.

Sources

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