synonym Comparative
主観
VS
幇間
Differences Between "主観" and "幇間"
Option A
主観
Meaning
subjectivity, personal opinion/view
Reading
しゅかん (shukan)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
それはあなたの主観的な意見にすぎません。
That is merely your subjective 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: "(subjectivity, personal opinion/view)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 主観: Emphasizes a personal, subjective viewpoint, in contrast to 客観 (kyakkan - objectivity). Often used to describe opinions that are not based on objective facts.
- 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）。
- 主観: Emphasizes a personal, subjective viewpoint, in contrast to 客観 (kyakkan - objectivity). Often used to describe opinions that are not based on objective facts.
- 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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