Translation guide
The practice of giving unfair preferential treatment to someone, often based on personal liking rather than merit. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through specific nouns, verbs, and set phrases that describe biased treatment, especially in workplaces, schools, and personal relationships.
Expressing that someone is treated better than others unfairly, in general contexts.
The most common and direct word for favoritism. It can be used as a noun or a suru-verb (えこひいきする). Suitable for everyday conversation and writing.
That teacher shows favoritism toward certain students.
The boss's favoritism is terrible.
The kanji form of えこひいき. It is less common in modern writing but may appear in formal or literary contexts. The meaning is identical.
We strive for personnel decisions without favoritism.
Means favor, patronage, or partiality. While it can be positive (supporting a favorite team), in context it often implies favoritism. Used as a noun or suru-verb (ひいきする).
He always favors his younger brother.
My favorite team won. (Note: This is a positive use, not favoritism.)
Literally 'biased love', this is a formal or literary term for favoritism, often used in psychological or critical contexts.
Parental favoritism affects a child's development.
Describing favoritism in professional environments, such as promotions, assignments, or evaluations based on personal connections.
A compound meaning favoritism toward one's own group or relatives. Often used in business or political contexts to criticize nepotism or in-group bias.
That company is known for favoritism in personnel decisions.
Refers to personal considerations or favoritism that influences decisions, especially in hiring or promotions. Often used in formal criticism.
Short for コネクション (connection), this refers to using personal connections to gain advantage, often implying favoritism or nepotism. Common in casual speech.
Describing a teacher showing favoritism toward certain students.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'teacher's favoritism'. It clearly identifies the source of the bias.
The teacher's favoritism made the class atmosphere worse.
Passive form of ひいきする, meaning 'to be favored'. Often used to describe a student who is the teacher's pet.
She is favored by the teacher.
Describing parents treating one child better than others.
Directly means 'parental favoritism'. It is commonly understood and used in discussions about family dynamics.
Parental favoritism causes sibling fights.
A softer, indirect way to say 'the way of showing affection is different', implying favoritism without using a direct term.
Directly accusing someone of favoritism or complaining about it.
えこひいき always carries a negative connotation of unfair bias. ひいき can be neutral or positive, meaning simply 'favor' or 'patronage' (e.g., ひいきの店 'one's favorite shop'). Use えこひいき when you want to criticize favoritism.
I patronize that shop. (positive)
That shop shows favoritism. (negative)
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'favoritism' in all contexts. Using 好意 (favor/goodwill) or 偏り (bias) alone will not convey the meaning. Stick to the expressions above.
We conduct fair hiring without favoritism.
Apparently he got into the company through connections.
My parents clearly show more affection to my younger brother.