Japanese word

人情

Pronunciation

Romajininjō

Meaning

  • nouncompassion

Example

彼の人情に心を打たれました。kare no nin jō ni kokoro o u ta re ma shi ta

I was touched by his compassion.

Illustration for 人情 (compassion)

More examples

困っている隣人を助ける姿に、彼の人情を感じました。koma tte i ru rin jin o tasu ke ru sugata ni kare no nin jō o kan ji ma shi ta

I felt his compassion when I saw him help a neighbor in need.

Core concept

Centers on the natural sympathy and warmth that arise between people and move them to treat one another kindly.

Common phrases

  • 人情に厚いnin jō ni atsu i

    be warm-hearted

  • 人情に流されるnin jō ni naga sa re ru

    be swayed by compassion

Similar words

情けnasake: Kind sympathy offered to someone facing hardship or trouble.
思いやりomoiyari: Thoughtful concern that takes another person's feelings into account.
慈悲jihi: A compassionate attitude toward those who suffer or need help.

Definition in Japanese

人間同士が互いに感じる思いやりや温かい心。nin gen dō shi ga taga i ni kan ji ru omo i ya ri ya atata ka i kokoro

Word origin

The compound 人情 (ninjō) combines 人 (nin, "person") with 情 (jō, "feelings"), linking human relationships with sympathetic feeling.

Usage tips

  • In conversational Japanese, 人情 (ninjō) can praise a response that gives personal sympathy priority over strict procedure.

Other meanings

  • humanitynoun
  • kindnessnoun

Opposites

  • 無情mujōheartlessna-adjective

Related words

  • 人情味ninjōmihuman warmthnoun

Word lists with this word