How to say "fair" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 市いちnounCovers 'fair' in its marketplace sense: a market — an occasion or place where goods are bought and sold, typically from stalls. It is not used for 'fair' meaning just, nor for 'fair' meaning beautiful.
- na-adjectiveThe loanword from English 'fair'. It covers 'fair' meaning just and impartial — fair treatment, fair competition — and is also used of promotional events, such as a shop's themed sale.
- na-adjectiveHere 'fair' simply means pretty, lovely or beautiful — the word for attractive appearance, of people or things. It has nothing to do with justice or with fairs as events.
- 公明正大こうめいせいだいna-adjective, nounA four-character idiom describing 'fair' as a quality of conduct: just and upright, open and honest, aboveboard. Use it of dealings, decisions or people who act honestly and in the open.
- 縁日えんにちnounCovers 'fair' in the festival sense: a temple festival on a day linked to a particular deity, thought to bring divine blessing to those who celebrate it — the festive counterpart to 市.
Pick event senses by type — 市 a market, 「フェア」 a promotional event, 縁日 a temple festival day; use 「きれい」 for fair meaning pretty, and 公明正大 or the loanword 「フェア」 for fair meaning just and impartial.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 市いちmarket
- フェアfair
- きれいpretty
- 公明正大こうめいせいだいfair
- 縁日えんにちtemple festival
- 適当てきとうsuitable
- リーズナブルreasonable (price, fee, fare, rate, etc.)
- 厳正げんせいstrict
- 博覧会はくらんかいexhibition
- 勧工場かんこうばfair
- 至当しとうjust
- 晴朗せいろうclear
- 見目麗しいみめうるわしいgood-looking
- 品評会ひんぴょうかいcompetitive show
- 堂々どうどうfair
- 同一どういつfair
- 可かPass (grade)
- 博はくexposition
- ショーshow
- 明朗めいろうclear
- 明るいあかるいfair (e.g. politics)
See also
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