Meaning and Usage
The verb 誇る (ほこる) means "to boast of" or "to be proud of" something. It is often used when someone or something has a quality, achievement, or possession that is a source of pride.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see 誇る used to express pride in personal achievements, qualities of a place, or skills. For example, a person might 誇る their work accomplishments, or a city might 誇る its natural beauty.
Collocations and Patterns
- ～を誇る: to boast of something (e.g., 技術を誇る - to boast of technology)
- 誇りに思う: to feel proud (related expression)
- 自信を誇る: to boast confidence
Register and Nuance
誇る is generally neutral to formal and can be used in both spoken and written Japanese. It conveys a positive pride rather than arrogance, but context matters. When used about oneself, it can sometimes sound boastful, so be mindful of tone.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 誇る with 自慢する (じまんする), which also means "to boast." 誇る often implies a genuine pride in something valuable or admirable, while 自慢する can have a more negative nuance of bragging. Use 誇る when emphasizing honorable pride.