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.
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.
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.
The most direct and common translation for 'partial' in the sense of 'not complete'. Used as a na-adjective or adverb.
We could only find a partial solution.
He partially agreed.
Means 'a part' or 'a portion'. Often used with の to modify nouns, or as an adverb with は/が.
Some of the information is missing. (partial information)
The plan was only partially implemented.
Means 'imperfect' or 'incomplete'. Emphasizes the lack of completeness rather than just being a part.
This data is partial/incomplete.
Means 'half-done', 'half-hearted', or 'unfinished'. Carries a negative nuance of being incomplete or unsatisfactory.
Partial/half-baked knowledge is useless.
Means 'unfair' or 'biased'. Commonly used to describe partial treatment.
The referee was partial/biased.
The past tense of 偏る (to be biased). Describes a state of being partial or skewed.
His opinion is partial/biased.
Means 'favoritism' or 'partiality'. Often used in contexts like a teacher favoring certain students.
It's not good for a teacher to be partial to certain students.
I'm partial to sweets. (lit. I have no eyes for sweets – idiom)
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.
She is partial to chocolate. (She can't resist chocolate.)
Means 'to love' or 'to be very fond of'. More emphatic than 好き.
I am partial to movies. (I love movies.)