Meaning and Usage
The verb 片寄る (かたよる) means "to be one-sided," "to incline," or "to be biased." It is often used to describe physical leaning or imbalance, as well as metaphorical bias in opinions or attitudes.
Common Contexts
- Physical imbalance: When objects lean or shift to one side, such as books on a shelf or weight distribution.
- Opinion bias: When someone's views or arguments are partial or lack balance.
Collocations and Patterns
- 意見が片寄る (いけんがかたよる): opinions become biased or one-sided.
- 片寄った考え (かたよったかんがえ): biased or narrow-minded thinking.
- 片寄った分布 (かたよったぶんぷ): uneven or skewed distribution.
Register and Nuance
片寄る is neutral in formality and can be used in both spoken and written Japanese. It often implies a negative nuance when referring to opinions or attitudes, suggesting a lack of fairness or balance.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 片寄る with 片付く (かたづく, to be put in order) because of the similar beginning 片. Remember that 片寄る focuses on imbalance or bias, while 片付く relates to tidiness or completion.