synonym Comparative
報いる
VS
冥利
Differences Between "報いる" and "冥利"
Option A
報いる
Meaning
to reward, to repay, to return (a favor), to retaliate
Reading
むくいる (mukuiru)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
彼は恩師の期待に報いるために努力した。
He worked hard to live up to his mentor's expectations.
Option B
冥利
Meaning
divine favor, unexpected good fortune, privilege, special blessing
Reading
みょうり (myōri)
Syllabus Level
N1
Practical Example
お客様に喜んでいただけた時、販売員冥利に尽きると思った。
When customers were pleased, I felt it was the ultimate satisfaction (blessing) as a salesperson.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(to reward, to repay, to return (a favor), to retaliate)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 報いる: Used when returning kindness or showing gratitude, but can also imply returning hostility or taking revenge. Often seen in phrases like 恩に報いる (on ni mukuiru - to repay a kindness). 恩義や労苦に対して、それに見合う行動や結果で返すこと。
- 冥利: Often used in phrases like 「～冥利に尽きる」to express profound gratitude or a sense of immense privilege for one's position or experience. (特定の立場や役割にあることによって得られる最高の喜びや恵みを表すことが多い)
- 報いる: Used when returning kindness or showing gratitude, but can also imply returning hostility or taking revenge. Often seen in phrases like 恩に報いる (on ni mukuiru - to repay a kindness). 恩義や労苦に対して、それに見合う行動や結果で返すこと。
- 冥利: Often used in phrases like 「～冥利に尽きる」to express profound gratitude or a sense of immense privilege for one's position or experience. (特定の立場や役割にあることによって得られる最高の喜びや恵みを表すことが多い)
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