Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Favoritism" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "favoritism", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
ひいき
ひいき (hiiki)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
依怙贔屓
えこひいき (ekohiiki)
N1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "favoritism" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between ひいき and 依怙贔屓.
In Japanese, ひいき (ひいき (hiiki)) is typically associated with "favoritism, partiality, patronage, support" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Can refer to unfairly showing preference to someone.
On the other hand, 依怙贔屓 (えこひいき (ekohiiki)) maps to "favoritism; partiality; bias; discrimination" (Syllabus Level: N1) and represents Used to describe unfair favoritism shown towards a particular person or group, often implying negative connotations. It can be used as a noun or with する. A literal translation of "favoritism" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "ひいき"
彼はあのチームをひいきにしている。
He favors that team.
Bilingual Context for "依怙贔屓"
先生は特定の生徒に依怙贔屓をしていると、他の生徒が不満に思った。
Other students were dissatisfied, thinking the teacher was showing favoritism to a particular student.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼はあのチームを ＿＿＿ にしている。" (Meaning: "He favors that team.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "ひいき" fits here because it means "favoritism, partiality, patronage, support" in the context of: "He favors that team.". "依怙贔屓" represents "favoritism; partiality; bias; discrimination".