noun
Refers to a personal enemy or rival, often with a sense of long-standing opposition. Common in phrases like 仇を討つ (avenge one's enemy).
彼は父の仇を討つために旅に出た。
He set out on a journey to avenge his father's enemy.
彼女は昔の仇に偶然再会した。
She unexpectedly met an old rival again.
noun
Focuses on the feeling of ill will or a grudge held against someone. Often used in expressions like 仇を返す (return a grudge) or 仇になる (become a source of resentment).
彼は長年の仇を忘れられなかった。
He couldn't forget the long-held grudge.
親切が仇になって恨まれた。
His kindness backfired and turned into resentment.
noun
Used when something intended to be good ends up causing harm or damage. Common in the set phrase 仇となる (to do more harm than good).
過保護が子供の仇となることもある。
Overprotection can sometimes harm a child.
善意が仇となって大変なことになった。
Good intentions backfired and caused a terrible situation.
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing, especially when the intended kanji is broad or not important.
Rare variant kanji for 'enemy' or 'invader', mostly in historical or literary contexts.
Rare variant kanji associated with 'revenge' or 'enmity', seldom used in modern Japanese.
Rare variant kanji for 'bandit' or 'rebel', not the usual spelling for these senses.
The historical derivation is uncertain; the kanji 仇 is conventionally associated with the meanings 'enemy', 'grudge', and 'harm'.