偏狭・褊狭|へんきょうhenkyou[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
偏狭偏狭 is the more common written form and is the form beginners should normally choose.
褊狭褊狭 is a less common written variant of 偏狭; recognize it, but use 偏狭 when writing.
Definitions
- na-adjective, nounnarrow-mindedness; intolerance; illiberality; narrowness
Conjugation
| Plain form | 偏狭（へんきょう） |
|---|---|
| Polite (desu) | 偏狭です（へんきょうです） |
| Negative (dewa nai) | 偏狭ではない（へんきょうではない） |
| polite (dewa arimasen) | 偏狭ではありません（へんきょうではありません） |
| Past (datta) | 偏狭だった（へんきょうだった） |
| Past negative (dewa nakatta) | 偏狭ではなかった（へんきょうではなかった） |
| Te form (de) | 偏狭で（へんきょうで） |
| Adverbial (ni) | 偏狭に（へんきょうに） |
| Conditional (nara) | 偏狭なら（へんきょうなら） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym狭量きょうりょうWrittenWritten. Close to 「偏狭」 but stresses the smallness of one's 度量 — one's capacity for tolerating others.
- Synonym心の狭いこころのせまいNeutralA plainer, more conversational way to say it: 「心が狭い」. Stresses being unable to accept other opinions; more direct than 「偏狭」.
- RelatedドグマティックWrittenWritten. A loanword for dogmatic: convinced a theory or idea is absolutely right and rejecting other views; the stress is on clinging to one doctrine.
- Related狭隘きょうあいWrittenWritten. Broader in range than 「偏狭」: it can describe physical narrowness — a confined space or small area — as well as a narrow mind.
- RelatedせせこましいNeutralNeutral. Stresses physical crampedness — narrow, tight quarters — or a petty, small-minded streak; unlike 「偏狭」 it often describes spaces.
- RelatedせこいCasualColloquial and derogatory. Petty and stingy: greedy for small gains or resorting to sneaky means; far more casual than 「偏狭」.
- Related偏屈へんくつNeutralNeutral. Describes a warped, obstinate character — crotchety and contrary — rather than narrow views; the stress is on an odd, twisted personality.
- Related独断的どくだんてきWrittenWritten. Arbitrary and dogmatic: trusts only one's own judgment and won't hear other opinions; the emphasis is on deciding alone, not on narrowness.
- Antonym寛大かんだいWrittenWritten. The antonym: broad-minded and tolerant, ready to overlook others' faults and accept dissent — the opposite of a 「偏狭」 mindset.
「偏狭」 is a written word for biased, narrow thinking or attitudes, as in 「偏狭な考え」. 「狭量」 stresses a small capacity for tolerating others; in everyday speech say 「心が狭い」. 「ドグマティック」 and 「独断的」 stress dogmatic refusal of other views; 「狭隘」 also covers physical narrowness; 「せせこましい」 cramped spaces or pettiness; 「せこい」 stinginess; 「偏屈」 a warped, contrary character. The opposite is 「寛大」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
