Translation guide
The English word 'liberal' has several distinct meanings: generous in giving, open-minded or tolerant, politically progressive, and abundant or ample. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression for each sense.
Describing a person or action that is generous, not stingy, often with money or help.
The most common way to say someone is generous or liberal with money. Used for people who give freely.
彼は気前がいいから、よく奢ってくれる。
He's very liberal with his money, so he often treats me.
A casual, slightly slangy term for a big-hearted, generous person. Often used in friendly contexts.
太っ腹な社長がボーナスをくれた。
The liberal-minded president gave us a bonus.
Means generous, tolerant, or magnanimous. Can be used for liberal giving but also for forgiving attitudes.
彼は寄付に寛大だ。
He is liberal in his donations.
Describing attitudes, rules, or people that are flexible, permissive, or accepting of different ideas.
The standard word for tolerance and open-mindedness. Used for accepting different opinions, cultures, or behaviors.
彼女は異なる意見に寛容だ。
She is liberal toward different opinions.
A loanword from English, often used for liberal attitudes in education, parenting, or social issues. Can sound modern.
Describes a person who is easygoing, broad-minded, and not strict. Often used for personality.
Referring to political ideologies that favor social progress, reform, and government intervention.
The standard term for political liberalism. Often used in news and discussions.
彼はリベラルな政治家として知られている。
He is known as a liberal politician.
Means 'reformist' or 'progressive' faction. Used in political contexts, often contrasted with conservatives.
Literally 'left wing'. Used to describe liberal or leftist political groups. More direct and sometimes carries a negative nuance depending on context.
左派の意見が強まっている。
Liberal opinions are gaining strength.
Describing a quantity that is generous or more than enough, often used with portions or servings.
An adverb meaning 'plenty' or 'generously'. Commonly used for amounts of food, time, etc.
サラダにドレッシングをたっぷりかけた。
I put a liberal amount of dressing on the salad.
An adverb meaning 'lavishly' or 'abundantly'. Slightly more formal or literary than たっぷり.
リベラル is a loanword often used for political or modern social liberalism, while 寛容 is a native concept of tolerance and open-mindedness. Use リベラル for political contexts and 寛容 for personal attitudes.
彼はリベラルな考えを持っているが、他人に寛容ではない。
He holds liberal views but is not tolerant of others.
Although 'liberal' can mean generous in English, リベラル in Japanese does not carry that meaning. Use 気前がいい or 太っ腹 instead.
リベラルな教育方針の学校を選んだ。
We chose a school with a liberal educational policy.
おおらかな性格で、細かいことは気にしない。
He has a liberal personality and doesn't sweat the small stuff.
革新派の候補が当選した。
The liberal candidate was elected.
He used a liberal amount of resources.