Japanese word

公正

Pronunciation

Romajikōsei

Meaning

  • na-adjectivefairness

Example

この審査は公正です。ko no shin sa wa kō sei de su

This review is fair.

Illustration for 公正 (fairness)

More examples

審査員はすべての応募者を公正に扱います。shin sa in wa su be te no ō bo sha o kō sei ni atsuka i ma su

The judges treat all applicants fairly.

Core concept

Describes treatment or judgment that follows a proper standard without favoring one side.

Common phrases

  • 公正な判断kō sei na han dan

    fair judgment

  • 公正な扱いkō sei na atsuka i

    fair treatment

  • 公正に扱うkō sei ni atsuka u

    treat fairly

Similar words

公平kōhei: Treats people or judges matters in a balanced way without favoring one side.
平等byōdō: Provides the same rights, opportunities, or treatment to people in the same situation.
中立chūritsu: Maintains an unbiased position without supporting either side of an issue.

Definition in Japanese

判断や扱いに偏りがなく、正しい基準にかなっているさま。han dan ya atsuka i ni katayo ri ga na ku tada shi i ki jun ni ka na tte i ru sa ma

Word origin

公 (kō, "public") + 正 (sei, "right") forms 公正 (kōsei), expressing fairness based on an impartial and proper standard.

Usage tips

  • In formal Japanese, 公正 (kōsei) often describes reviews, elections, and procedures, so it sounds more institutional than a casual word for being fair.

Other meanings

  • impartialityna-adjective
  • justicena-adjective

Opposites

  • 不公正fukōseiunfairnessna-adjective

Related words

  • 公正さkōseisafairnessnoun
  • 公正性kōseiseiimpartialitynoun

Word lists with this word