Meaning and Usage
"公平" (こうへい) means fairness or impartiality. It is used when talking about justice, equal treatment, or unbiased decisions. This word often appears in formal contexts such as legal, social, or organizational settings.
Common Collocations
- 公平な機会 (こうへいなきかい): fair opportunity
- 公平な判断 (こうへいなはんだん): impartial judgment
- 公平を保つ (こうへいをたもつ): to maintain fairness
Nuances and Tips
Using "公平" implies that no favoritism or discrimination is involved. It is stronger and more formal than just "平等" (equality), focusing on fairness in treatment or decisions. Be careful not to confuse "公平" with "平等"; the former emphasizes fairness in process, the latter equality in status or amount.
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"公平" is generally neutral to formal and suitable for written and spoken Japanese in professional or serious discussions about justice or fairness.