偏愛
hen'ai
The Japanese word for "partiality" is 偏愛 (hen'ai).
偏愛 is used to describe a strong, often one-sided preference or favoritism toward a specific person, object or thing.
Meaning: preference (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the kanji 偏 (hen), meaning biased or one-sided and 愛 (ai), meaning love.
How do you pronounce it?
hen'ai
Did you know?
- While 偏愛 means 'partiality', the word 愛 ('love') is often avoided in casual Japanese conversation because it is seen as too heavy or intense. Speakers often use 好き ('like') instead to avoid sounding overly dramatic.
- The character 偏 in 偏愛 is also used in the word 偏食 ('henshoku'), which refers to a 'picky eater'. Both words share the idea of a 'one-sided' or 'biased' approach to what one chooses.
- In Japanese social dynamics, showing 偏愛 in a professional setting can be viewed as a lack of 'wa' or harmony. Maintaining a balanced, neutral stance is often more culturally valued than expressing a strong personal preference.
Example conversation
Hiyori and Yota are talking about their favorite things.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太は、古い映画への偏愛があるね。Yōta wa, furui eiga e no hen-ai ga aru ne.Yota, you have a real partiality for old movies.
- 陽太 Yotaそうだよ。白黒映画が一番好きだ。Sō da yo. Shirokuro eiga ga ichiban suki da.That's true. I like black and white movies the best.
- 陽葵 Himariこだわりが強くてすごいと思う。Kodawari ga tsuyokute sugoi to omou.I think it's amazing how passionate you are.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとう。今度おすすめを教えるよ。Arigatō. Kondo osusume o oshieru yo.Thanks. I'll tell you some recommendations next time.
