Kanji Homophone Battle
Pronunciation Trap: "はばかる (habakaru)"
Same sound, completely different Kanji! Choose the right conceptual writing.
Kanji Option A
はばかる
はばかる (habakaru)
N2 / CEFR
VS
Kanji Option B
憚る
はばかる (habakaru)
N2 / CEFR
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
In Japanese, many words share the exact same pronunciation "はばかる (habakaru)" but are written with different Kanji, changing the meaning entirely.
- はばかる (Level: N2): Translates to "to hesitate; to be afraid of what others might think; to be self-conscious" and is used when Often used in the negative form.
- 憚る (Level: N2): Maps to "to hesitate, to be afraid of what others might think, to refrain (out of deference)" and carries the nuance of To hesitate or refrain from doing something, often due to concern about what others might think, social norms, or showing deference. 他人の目や評価を気にして、遠慮したりためらったりすること。 「人目をはばかる」のように使う。.
Bilingual Context for "はばかる"
人目をはばからず大声で笑った。
I laughed loudly without caring about what others thought.
Bilingual Context for "憚る"
人目を憚ることなく、自分の意見を堂々と述べた。
I boldly stated my opinion without worrying about what others might think.
Kanji Selection Quiz
Which Kanji perfectly fits this blank space?
Which Kanji perfectly fits the blank: "人目をはばからず大声で笑った。" (Meaning: "I laughed loudly without caring about what others thought.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Correct! "はばかる" is used for "to hesitate; to be afraid of what others might think; to be self-conscious" in the context: "I laughed loudly without caring about what others thought.".