Japanese word

わきまえる

Pronunciation

Romajiwakimaeru

Meaning

  • verbdiscern

Example

彼は善悪をわきまえています。kare wa zen aku o wa ki ma e te i ma su

He can discern right from wrong.

Illustration for わきまえる (discern)

More examples

彼女は場をわきまえて、静かに話します。kano jo wa ba o wa ki ma e te shizu ka ni hana shi ma su

She behaves appropriately for the situation and speaks quietly.

Core concept

It centers on recognizing distinctions and circumstances so that judgment and conduct match what is proper.

Common phrases

  • 善悪をわきまえるzen aku o wa ki ma e ru

    discern right from wrong

  • 身の程をわきまえるmi no hodo o wa ki ma e ru

    know one's place

Similar words

心得るkokoroeru: To understand what a situation or role requires and behave accordingly.
見分けるmiwakeru: To distinguish one thing from another by recognizing their different features.
見極めるmikiwameru: To determine the true nature or value of something through careful observation.

Definition in Japanese

物事の違いや道理を理解し、状況や立場に応じて適切に判断したり振る舞ったりすること。mono goto no chiga i ya dō ri o ri kai shi jō kyō ya tachi ba ni ō ji te teki setsu ni han dan shi ta ri fu ru ma tta ri su ru ko to

Word origin

わきまえる (wakimaeru) is a native Japanese verb that developed from the older わきまう (wakimau), with a sense related to 分く (waku, "to distinguish").

Usage tips

  • In phrases such as 分をわきまえる (bun o wakimaeru), the word can mean knowing one's social position, so know one's place may sound more judgmental than discern.

Other meanings

  • know one's placeverb
  • act appropriatelyverb

Related words

  • わきまえwakimaediscretionnoun

Word lists with this word