Learn the Japanese Word En

Goen ni kansha
By
Namiko Abe
Namiko Abe
Japanese Language Expert
  • B.A., Kwansei Gakuin University
Namiko Abe is a Japanese language teacher and translator, as well as a Japanese calligraphy expert. She has been a freelance writer for nearly 20 years.
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Updated on January 26, 2019

The Japanese word en is pronounced precisely as it is spelled, and is translated to mean fate, or kamra. Depending on the context of the sentence, it ma also mean a blood relationship, connection, or tie.

Japanese Characters

縁 （えん）

Example

Kare towa en mo yukari mo nai.
彼とは縁もゆかりもない。		 He is a complete stranger.
Sutekina goen ni kansha shimasu.
すてきなご縁に感謝します。		 I am grateful to have met you.

Note

  • "Go （ご）" of "Goen （ご縁）" is the respectful prefix (polite marker). "O （お）" or "go （ご）" is used to express respect or simple politeness. 
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Abe, Namiko. "Learn the Japanese Word En." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/en-meaning-and-characters-2028531. Abe, Namiko. (2023, April 5). Learn the Japanese Word En. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/en-meaning-and-characters-2028531 Abe, Namiko. "Learn the Japanese Word En." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/en-meaning-and-characters-2028531 (accessed June 10, 2023).