折衷・折中|せっちゅうsetchuu[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
折衷折衷 is the most common and standard written form, entirely in kanji, and the default choice for beginners.
折中折中 is a less common written variant, also written entirely in kanji. You may encounter it, but beginners should generally use 折衷 instead.
Definitions
- suru verb, transitive verb, no-adjectivecompromise; cross; blending; eclecticism
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 折衷する（せっちゅうする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 折衷します（せっちゅうします） |
| Negative (nai) | 折衷しない（せっちゅうしない） |
| polite (masen) | 折衷しません（せっちゅうしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 折衷せず・折衷せぬ（せっちゅうせず・せっちゅうせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 折衷した（せっちゅうした） |
| polite (mashita) | 折衷しました（せっちゅうしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 折衷しなかった（せっちゅうしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 折衷しませんでした（せっちゅうしませんでした） |
| Te form | 折衷して（せっちゅうして） |
| Potential | 折衷できる（せっちゅうできる） |
| Passive | 折衷される（せっちゅうされる） |
| Causative | 折衷させる（せっちゅうさせる） |
| Causative passive | 折衷させられる（せっちゅうさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 折衷すれば（せっちゅうすれば） |
| tara | 折衷したら（せっちゅうしたら） |
| Volitional | 折衷しよう（せっちゅうしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 折衷しましょう（せっちゅうしましょう） |
| Imperative | 折衷しろ（せっちゅうしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym折り合いおりあいNeutralA settlement reached between two sides; also how people get along, as in 「折り合いがつく」. Leans toward the negotiated outcome; 「折衷」 blends the best of each into one.
- Synonym妥協だきょうNeutralCompromising by giving way, as in 「妥協案」. Leans toward backing down and can imply reluctance, while 「折衷」 stresses merging strong points.
- Synonym歩み寄りあゆみよりNeutralBoth sides softening their stance and moving toward each other, as in 「歩み寄りを見せる」. Highlights the softened attitude rather than the blended result.
- Related譲歩じょうほWrittenWritten/formal prose: a concession, as in 「譲歩を迫る」. One side gives way, unlike 「折衷」, which merges the good points of both.
- Related折衷主義せっちゅうしゅぎWrittenWritten/formal prose: eclecticism, the stance of drawing the best from different schools of thought; used in philosophy, art and political thought.
- Antonym偏重へんちょうWrittenWritten/formal prose: one-sided overemphasis, as in 「学歴偏重」. The opposite of 「折衷」's even-handed blending of different elements.
Use 「折衷」 for blending the good points of different things into one, as in 「和洋折衷」 or 「折衷案」. For compromise in a negotiation, 「妥協」 or 「折り合い」; for one-sided concessions, 「譲歩」. 「偏重」 is the opposite.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
