Meaning
The kanji 恵 means blessing, grace, favor, mercy, and benevolence. It points to kindness freely given — from nature, a deity, or another person — rather than something earned.
The character combines two elements. On top sits 叀, an ancient spindle symbol representing something carefully prepared and offered. Below is 心 (heart). Together they suggest a heart wound with generosity — always ready to give.
The form comes from the traditional Chinese 惠, which shares the same meaning. Japan simplified it over time, though both appear across East Asian writing. In Japanese culture, the character connects to Buddhist ideas of compassion and Shinto notions of nature's gifts.
In everyday Japanese, 恵 shows up in words for nature's bounty, charitable acts, and wisdom. It's also one of Japan's most popular women's given names, read as めぐみ (Megumi). The kanji has 10 strokes, uses the radical 心 (heart), and is a Jōyō kanji taught at secondary school level.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The kanji 恵 has two on'yomi readings: ケイ and エ. Both appear in formal and Sino-Japanese compound vocabulary, particularly in written and official contexts.
ケイ is the more common reading, used in vocabulary for gifts, blessings, and mutual benefit. It carries a formal, dignified tone common in legal and diplomatic language.
- 恩恵 (onkei) — grace, blessing, benefit received from another's goodness
- 互恵 (gokei) — mutual benefit, reciprocity between two parties
- 特恵 (tokkei) — special favor, preferential treatment
エ is rarer but culturally significant. It appears most famously in Ebisu — the beloved god of fishermen and merchants, one of Japan's Seven Gods of Fortune.
- 知恵 (chie) — wisdom, cleverness, wit
- 恵比寿 (Ebisu) — the god of fishermen and merchants
- 恵方 (ehō) — the auspicious direction observed on Setsubun each year
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The native readings are めぐ・む (megumu) and めぐみ (megumi). These appear in everyday speech, personal names, and natural expressions of generosity — warmer in feel than the on'yomi.
めぐ・む is the verb: "to bless," "to give charitably," "to show mercy."
- 恵む (megumu) — to give charitably, to show mercy
- 恵まれる (megumareru) — to be blessed with, to be fortunate in having
めぐみ is the noun: "blessing," "grace," "gift." It refers to nature's bounty, divine favor, or someone's generous kindness. It's one of the most common Japanese women's names.
- 恵み (megumi) — blessing, grace, gift
- 自然の恵み (shizen no megumi) — the blessings of nature, nature's bounty
Common Words & Compounds
Blessings and Grace
- 恵み (megumi) — blessing, grace, a gift freely given
- 恩恵 (onkei) — grace, benefit received from another
- 天恵 (tenkei) — heavenly blessing, a gift from the heavens or nature
- 慈恵 (jikei) — mercy and charity, compassionate giving
Wisdom and Cleverness
- 知恵 (chie) — wisdom, knowledge, cleverness
- 知恵袋 (chiebukuro) — a "bag of wisdom," an all-knowing person; also a popular Japanese Q&A website
Mutual Benefit and Special Favor
- 互恵 (gokei) — mutual benefit, reciprocal advantage between parties
- 特恵 (tokkei) — special favor, preferential treatment granted as a privilege
- 恵贈 (keizō) — the gracious gift of (a formal expression used in letters)
Lucky Traditions and Cultural References
- 恵比寿 (Ebisu) — the god of fishermen, merchants, and luck; one of Japan's Seven Gods of Fortune
- 恵方 (ehō) — the auspicious direction designated for each year's Setsubun festival
- 恵方巻 (ehōmaki) — a thick sushi roll eaten while facing the lucky direction on Setsubun
Verb Forms
- 恵む (megumu) — to give alms, to show charity
- 恵まれる (megumareru) — to be blessed with (commonly: talent, good health, loving parents, fine weather)
Example Sentences
彼女は自然の恵みに感謝している。
Kanojo wa shizen no megumi ni kansha shite iru.
She is grateful for the blessings of nature.
神の恵みが彼を救った。
Kami no megumi ga kare wo sukutta.
The grace of God saved him.
彼は才能に恵まれた芸術家だ。
Kare wa sainō ni megumareta geijutsuka da.
He is an artist blessed with great talent.
老人は貧しい子供たちに食べ物を恵んだ。
Rōjin wa mazushii kodomotachi ni tabemono wo megunda.
The elderly man gave food to the poor children.
知恵は財産より大切だと思う。
Chie wa zaisan yori taisetsu da to omou.
Wisdom matters more than wealth.
この地域は温暖な気候の恵みを受けている。
Kono chiiki wa ondan na kikō no megumi wo ukete iru.
This region benefits from a warm climate.
恩恵を受けた者は感謝の気持ちを忘れてはいけない。
Onkei wo uketa mono wa kansha no kimochi wo wasurete wa ikenai.
Those who receive grace must not forget gratitude.
両国は互恵の原則に基づいて貿易を行っている。
Ryōkoku wa gokei no gensoku ni motozuite bōeki wo okonatte iru.
The two countries trade on a principle of mutual benefit.
節分に恵方巻を食べるのは日本の伝統だ。
Setsubun ni ehōmaki wo taberu no wa Nihon no dentō da.
Eating ehōmaki on Setsubun is a Japanese tradition.
彼女は豊かな環境に恵まれて育った。
Kanojo wa yutaka na kankyō ni megumarete sodatta.
She grew up blessed with a rich and nurturing environment.
Memory Tip
Break the character into two parts: a spindle (叀) sitting on top of a heart (心). A heart carefully wound with thread — prepared to give. That image captures 恵: generosity that comes ready-made. The name めぐみ (Megumi) reinforces it — someone named Megumi is thought of as a person who brings blessings to those around them.