How to say "kindness" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 好意こういnounCovers kindness as friendly goodwill or a favor felt toward someone, such as accepting an offer or feeling someone's goodwill. It highlights a friendly, positive attitude rather than deep compassion.
- 人情にんじょうnounRefers to kindness in the sense of human warmth, sympathy, and empathy as part of human nature. Often used for acts of warmth among people, and can also mean humanity or human feelings generally.
- 厚意こういnounSpecifically kindness shown by others — courtesy or a favor extended to you, as in an invitation or gift. Use it when you are the recipient of someone's kindness, often in polite expressions of gratitude.
- 人情味にんじょうみnounKindness as a warm, human quality in a person or situation; the gloss 'human interest' points to this nuance. It describes someone who treats others with human warmth rather than coldness.
- 思いやりおもいやりnounKindness expressed as consideration and thoughtfulness for others — compassion that notices and responds to someone's needs or feelings. It is the natural choice for caring, considerate behavior toward others.
Use 厚意 for kindness received from others, 好意 for friendly goodwill or a favor, 「思いやり」 for considerate thoughtfulness, and 人情 or 人情味 for warm human empathy and sympathy.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 好意こういkindness
- 人情にんじょうhumanity
- 厚意こういkindness (shown by others)
- 人情味にんじょうみhuman interest
- 思いやりおもいやりconsideration
- 高配こうはい(your) consideration
- 人心じんしんhuman nature
- 心づくしこころづくしkindness
- 厚情こうじょうkindness
- かんこうkindness
- 高誼こうぎ(your) kindness
- 芳志ほうし(your) kindness
- 親切心しんせつしんkindness
- 魚心うおごころkindness
- お志おこころざしkindness
- 人助けひとだすけkind deed
- 芳恩ほうおんfavour
- おかげさま(someone's) assistance
- 老婆心ろうばしんsolicitude
- 志こころざしkindness
- 恩おんkindness
- 懇意こんいkindness
- 厄介やっかいcare
- 心の色こころのいろhuman interest
See also
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
