emotional debt; romantic debt
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
emotional debt; debt of gratitude, especially in romantic relationships
Often implies a sense of guilt, obligation, or moral indebtedness owed to someone due to past romantic involvement, unrequited feelings, or broken promises. Can be used literally or metaphorically.
Wǒ我
bù不
xiǎng想
qiàn欠
xià下
rèn任
hé何
qíng情
zhài债
。
I don't want to owe any emotional debts.
Tā他
yī一
shēng生
qiàn欠
le了
hěn很
duō多
qíng情
zhài债
，
wǎn晚
nián年
shí十
fēn分
gū孤
dú独
。
He owed many romantic debts throughout his life and was very lonely in his later years.
Show 2 more examplesShow fewer examples
Zhè这
shì是
tā她
qián前
shì世
qiàn欠
xià下
de的
qíng情
zhài债
，
jīn今
shēng生
bì必
xū须
cháng偿
huán还
。
This is a romantic debt she incurred in a previous life that must be repaid in this one.
Wǒ我
bù不
xiǎng想
zài再
jiū纠
chán缠
zài在
zhè这
duàn段
qíng情
zhài债
lǐ里
le了
。
I don't want to be entangled in this emotional debt any longer.