Kanji Homophone Battle
Pronunciation Trap: "はくじょう (hakujō)"
Same sound, completely different Kanji! Choose the right conceptual writing.
Kanji Option A
薄情
はくじょう (hakujō)
N3 / CEFR
VS
Kanji Option B
白状
はくじょう (hakujō)
N2 / CEFR
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
In Japanese, many words share the exact same pronunciation "はくじょう (hakujō)" but are written with different Kanji, changing the meaning entirely.
- 薄情 (Level: N3): Translates to "heartless; unfeeling; cold-hearted; thin affection; unkind" and is used when Refers to being heartless, unfeeling, cold-hearted, unkind, or lacking warm affection/gratitude toward others.
- 白状 (Level: N2): Maps to "confession; admission" and carries the nuance of To admit to something, often a wrongdoing or a secret, after initially hiding it. Can be voluntary or coerced..
Bilingual Context for "薄情"
自分が苦しい時に散々助けてもらいながら、相手が困っている時に知らん顔をするのは_______な行動です。
Having been helped extensively when in trouble himself, pretending not to know when the other is in trouble is a heartless behavior.
Bilingual Context for "白状"
彼はとうとう自分の罪を白状した。
He finally confessed his crime.
Kanji Selection Quiz
Which Kanji perfectly fits this blank space?
Which Kanji perfectly fits the blank: "自分が苦しい時に散々助けてもらいながら、相手が困っている時に知らん顔をするのは_______な行動です。" (Meaning: "Having been helped extensively when in trouble himself, pretending not to know when the other is in trouble is a heartless behavior.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Correct! "薄情" is used for "heartless; unfeeling; cold-hearted; thin affection; unkind" in the context: "Having been helped extensively when in trouble himself, pretending not to know when the other is in trouble is a heartless behavior.".