synonym Comparative
付和雷同
VS
幇間
Differences Between "付和雷同" and "幇間"
Option A
付和雷同
Meaning
blindly following others; conforming; passively agreeing
Reading
ふわらいどう (fuwaraidou)
Syllabus Level
N1
Practical Example
彼はいつも付和雷同するだけで、自分の意見を持たない。
He always just blindly follows others and doesn't have his own opinion.
Option B
幇間
Meaning
jester, clown, buffoon; hanger-on, parasite, sycophant (who flatters others for personal gain)
Reading
ほうかん (hōkan)
Syllabus Level
N1
Practical Example
彼は社長の幇間として、いつもお世辞ばかり言っている。
He always flatters the president as his sycophant.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(blindly following others; conforming; passively agreeing)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 付和雷同: This is a 四字熟語 (yojijukugo - four-character idiom). It often carries a negative connotation, implying a lack of one's own opinion or critical thinking, just going along with what everyone else says. 自分の意見を持たずに、安易に他人の意見に同調すること。
- 幇間: Can refer to a professional jester or entertainer in traditional Japanese culture (like a 'taikomochi') who entertains guests at banquets. It can also carry a negative nuance, referring to someone who flatters others excessively for personal gain, a sycophant. The latter is more common in modern usage. 宴席で客をなごませる職業的な芸人のこと。また、他人にへつらい、自分の利益を図る人のこと（現代ではこちらの意味で使われることが多い）。
- 付和雷同: This is a 四字熟語 (yojijukugo - four-character idiom). It often carries a negative connotation, implying a lack of one's own opinion or critical thinking, just going along with what everyone else says. 自分の意見を持たずに、安易に他人の意見に同調すること。
- 幇間: Can refer to a professional jester or entertainer in traditional Japanese culture (like a 'taikomochi') who entertains guests at banquets. It can also carry a negative nuance, referring to someone who flatters others excessively for personal gain, a sycophant. The latter is more common in modern usage. 宴席で客をなごませる職業的な芸人のこと。また、他人にへつらい、自分の利益を図る人のこと（現代ではこちらの意味で使われることが多い）。
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