synonym Comparative
はばかる
VS
ひるむ
Differences Between "はばかる" and "ひるむ"
Option A
はばかる
Meaning
to hesitate; to be afraid of what others might think; to be self-conscious
Reading
はばかる (habakaru)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
人目をはばからず大声で笑った。
I laughed loudly without caring about what others thought.
Option B
ひるむ
Meaning
to flinch, to hesitate, to recoil (from fear/difficulty)
Reading
ひるむ (hirumu)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
どんな困難にもひるまず、前向きに進む。
Without flinching from any difficulty, I will move forward positively.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(to hesitate; to be afraid of what others might think; to be self-conscious)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- はばかる: Often used in the negative form (はばからず) to mean "without hesitation" or "openly," or to describe someone acting without regard for others' opinions. In its positive form, it means to refrain due to others' opinions/presence.
- ひるむ: Used when one feels a momentary loss of courage or hesitation when facing a challenge, danger, or fear. It can describe both a physical reaction (flinching) and a mental one (hesitating). (恐怖や困難を前にして、一瞬たじろぐ、おじけづく様子を表す)
- はばかる: Often used in the negative form (はばからず) to mean "without hesitation" or "openly," or to describe someone acting without regard for others' opinions. In its positive form, it means to refrain due to others' opinions/presence.
- ひるむ: Used when one feels a momentary loss of courage or hesitation when facing a challenge, danger, or fear. It can describe both a physical reaction (flinching) and a mental one (hesitating). (恐怖や困難を前にして、一瞬たじろぐ、おじけづく様子を表す)
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