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穏健 (おんけん, onken) Japanese meaning: moderate | Kotomora

穏おん健けん

お

ん

け

ん

Common word›JLPTN1›Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

moderate; temperate; sensible; non-radical

Describes views, policies, or people that avoid extremes; often used in political contexts. Antonym: 過激 (radical).

Antonyms: 過激

彼かれ

は

穏おん

健けん

な

意い

見けん

を

持も

っ

て

いる

。

He holds moderate views.

穏おん健けん派はの政せい治じ家かが選えらばれた。

A moderate politician was elected.

Usage patterns

穏おん健けんな〈事こと〉をとるto take a moderate stance/position
彼かの女じょは穏おん健けんな立たち場ばをとって、双そう方ほうの意い見けんを聞きいた。
She took a moderate stance and listened to both sides.
穏おん健けんな政せい策さくa moderate policy
その政せい党とうは穏おん健けんな政せい策さくを掲かかげている。
That political party advocates moderate policies.

Kanji

穏calm, quiet, moderation
健healthy, health, strength

Related words

温おん和わN1
温和 usually describes a person's gentle, mild temperament or climate, while 穏健 is used for moderate political views or policies.
穏おだやかN3
穏やか describes calm demeanor, weather, or seas, whereas 穏健 specifically describes moderate, non-radical opinions or stances.
中ちゅう庸よう
中庸 is a more philosophical term for the golden mean or balanced moderation, while 穏健 is the everyday word for moderate political/ideological positions.
中ちゅう道どうN1
穏健 describes a moderate, mild attitude or approach in general, while 中道 specifically names the middle course or centrist stance itself.

Opposites

過か激げき
extreme; radical; violent (language) · strenuous; excessive; demanding
急きゅう進しん
急進 describes a radical, fast-moving push for change, contrasting with 穏健's cautious, moderate approach.
挑ちょう発はつ的てき
穏健 describes moderate, non-confrontational speech or attitudes, contrasting with 挑発的's intent to provoke a strong reaction.

Word family

穏おん健けん派は
moderate faction; moderates
穏おん健けん路ろ線せん
moderate line; middle-of-the-road approach

Etymology

Compound of 穏 (calm, gentle) and 健 (healthy, strong), suggesting a balanced and steady disposition.