Translation guide
The English word 'partial' can express incompleteness, bias, or a liking for something. This guide covers natural Japanese equivalents for each meaning.
Expressing that something is only part of the whole, not complete or full.
The most direct and common translation for 'partial' in the sense of 'not complete'. Used as a na-adjective or adverb.
Showing unfair preference for one person or group over another.
To be fond of or have a preference for something.
The standard way to say you like something. Use with a noun or nominalized phrase.
私は甘いものに目がない。
I'm partial to sweets. (lit. I have no eyes for sweets – idiom)
In English, 'partial to' means 'liking'. In Japanese, there is no single adjective that covers both 'incomplete' and 'liking'. Use 好き or idiomatic phrases like 目がない for the 'liking' sense.
部分的な解決策しか見つからなかった。
We could only find a partial solution.
彼は部分的に同意した。
He partially agreed.
Means 'a part' or 'a portion'. Often used with の to modify nouns, or as an adverb with は/が.
一部の情報が欠けている。
Some of the information is missing. (partial information)
その計画は一部しか実行されなかった。
The plan was only partially implemented.
Means 'imperfect' or 'incomplete'. Emphasizes the lack of completeness rather than just being a part.
このデータは不完全だ。
This data is partial/incomplete.
Means 'half-done', 'half-hearted', or 'unfinished'. Carries a negative nuance of being incomplete or unsatisfactory.
中途半端な知識では役に立たない。
Partial/half-baked knowledge is useless.
Means 'unfair' or 'biased'. Commonly used to describe partial treatment.
審判は不公平だった。
The referee was partial/biased.
The past tense of 偏る (to be biased). Describes a state of being partial or skewed.
彼の意見は偏っている。
His opinion is partial/biased.
Means 'favoritism' or 'partiality'. Often used in contexts like a teacher favoring certain students.
先生が特定の生徒を依怙贔屓するのはよくない。
It's not good for a teacher to be partial to certain students.
He is partial to spicy food.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'to be extremely fond of' or 'to have a weakness for'. Stronger than 好き.
彼女はチョコレートに目がない。
She is partial to chocolate. (She can't resist chocolate.)
Means 'to love' or 'to be very fond of'. More emphatic than 好き.
私は映画が大好きです。
I am partial to movies. (I love movies.)