How to say "fairness" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 公平こうへいnoun, na-adjectiveCovers fairness as even-handed, unbiased treatment of people. The everyday word for saying a rule, decision, or person treats everyone equally and gives no one an unfair advantage.
- 公明こうめいnoun, na-adjectiveMeans fairness together with openness or transparency, especially in official or public conduct. As a way to say plain 'fairness' it is marginal; it really points to impartiality practiced openly.
- 公正こうせいnoun, na-adjectiveCovers fairness as impartiality grounded in justice, often for judgments, evaluations, or procedures by authorities or third parties. Slightly formal, emphasizing that a decision is just and free of favoritism.
Use 公平 for even-handed treatment without bias, 公正 for impartial justice as a principle or evaluation, and 公明 mainly for openness and transparency in official conduct rather than fairness itself.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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