Japanese Conversation · Level 103
60 words
Japanese word
一方的
Pronunciation
Romajiippōteki
Meaning
- na-adjectiveone-sided
Example
彼の説明は一方的です。kare no setsu mei wa ip pō teki de su
His explanation is one-sided.
More examples
会議では、一方的な説明ではなく、相手の質問にも答えることが大切です。kai gi de wa ip pō teki na setsu mei de wa na ku ai te no shitsu mon ni mo kota e ru ko to ga tai setsu de su
In a meeting, it is important to answer the other person's questions rather than give a one-sided explanation.
Core concept
Presents something as determined or expressed from a single standpoint rather than through a balanced exchange between sides.
Common phrases
一方的な主張ip pō teki na shu chō
one-sided claim
一方的に決めるip pō teki ni ki me ru
decide unilaterally
一方的な要求ip pō teki na yō kyū
unilateral demand
Similar words
一面的ichimenteki: Showing only one aspect of a matter while leaving other aspects unconsidered.
偏向的henkōteki: Favoring one side or viewpoint instead of treating opposing sides evenly.
Definition in Japanese
一方の立場や事情だけを取り上げ、他方を考えに入れていないさま。ip pō no tachi ba ya ji jō da ke o to ri a ge ta hō o kanga e ni i re te i na i sa ma
Word origin
The word 一方的 (ippōteki) is formed from 一方 (ippō, "one side") and the suffix 的 (teki, "having the nature of"), so its meaning centers on one-sidedness.
Usage tips
- A conversation can be called one-sided when one person keeps explaining or speaking without giving the other person a meaningful chance to respond.
Other meanings
- unilateralna-adjective
- arbitraryna-adjective
Opposites
- 双方向sōhōkōtwo-waynoun
Related words
- 一方的さippōtekisaone-sidednessnoun