中立
chūritsu[t͡ɕɨːɾʲit͡sɨ]
The Japanese word for neutral is 中立 (chūritsu).
中立 is used to describe a state of neutrality or a position that favors neither the supporting nor opposing viewpoints of a topic of debate. You may see it used in the phrase 中立の立場, which refers to a neutral standpoint or position often taken by a person or entity during a conflict or debate. To express being completely neutral, you can use the phrase 完全に中立.
Meaning: favouring neither the supporting nor opposing viewpoint of a topic of debate (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 中立 consists of two kanji: 中, meaning middle or center and 立, meaning stand. Literally, it translates to 'standing in the middle'.
Which one should you use?
While 中立 serves as the base noun for neutrality, the form 中立的 is used specifically as an adjective to describe a neutral position, opinion or behavior. Additionally, if you wish to express that something is fair or impartial, you should use the term 公平な.
How do you pronounce it?
chūritsu
Did you know?
- In Japanese gear shifting, 'neutral' is often referred to by the English loanword ニュートラル (nyūtoraru) rather than the traditional word 中立.
- In a traditional Japanese setting, taking a 'neutral position' can sometimes be interpreted as 'reading the air' 空気を読む to avoid conflict rather than a firm ideological choice.
- While 中立 describes a political or logical stance, the word 中道 (chūdō) refers to the 'Middle Way' a spiritual or philosophical neutrality found in Buddhism.
Examples in context
- スイスは中立国である。Switzerland is a neutral country.This sentence is useful for describing Switzerland as a neutral country using 中立.Tatoeba #215145 by bunbuku, translation #52442 by CK
- ロジバンでは開発当初より一貫して文化的中立を保つ事が志されています。In the development of Lojban, efforts were consistently made since the initial phase to keep the language culturally neutral.This sentence describes the effort to remain culturally neutral using 中立.Tatoeba #752149 by arihato, translation #752836 by spockofvulcan
- 英語に"he"や"she"に代わる性別中立的な代名詞があれば良いことではないですか？Wouldn't it be great if a gender-neutral pronoun for "he" or "she" existed in English?This sentence refers to the concept of a gender-neutral pronoun using 中立.Tatoeba #4715122 by anhgosho, translation #544637 by CK
- 彼は常に中立的な立場を取っています。He always maintains a neutral position.
- この問題について僕はニュートラルだと思う。I think I'm neutral about this issue.
- 彼女は中間的な見解を示しました。She expressed a neutral viewpoint.
- 私はこの論争に関して完全に中立です。I am completely neutral regarding this dispute.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are discussing a disagreement between two friends.
- 美咲 Misakiこの問題について、あなたはどう思う？Kono mondai ni tsuite, anata wa dou omou?What do you think about this issue?
- 健太 Kenta僕は中立な立場でいたいな。Boku wa chuuritsu na tachiba de itai na.I want to stay neutral.
- 美咲 Misakiでも、誰かの味方をしてほしいんだけど。Demo, dareka no mikata o shite hoshii ndakedo.But I want you to take someone's side.
- 健太 Kentaそれは難しいよ。公平でありたいから。Sore wa muzukashii yo. Kouhei de aritai kara.That's difficult. I want to be fair.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 中立, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
