Translation and Meaning of: 偏る - katayoru

The Japanese word 偏る (かたよる, katayoru) is a verb that carries interesting meanings and everyday applications in the language. If you are studying Japanese or simply curious about unique expressions, understanding the use and origin of this word can enrich your vocabulary. In this article, we will explore its meaning, how it is written in kanji, practical examples, and even tips to memorize it effectively.

Meaning and Translation of 偏る

偏る (かたよる) can be translated as "to be biased," "to lean to one side," or "to be unbalanced." It is often used to describe situations where something is not distributed evenly, either in physical or abstract contexts. For example, an unbalanced diet can be described as 偏った食事 (かたよったしょくじ, katayotta shokuji).

Furthermore, the term can also indicate a bias or excessive preference for something, as in 意見が偏っている (いけんがかたよっている, iken ga katayotte iru), which means "to have a biased opinion." This versatility makes the word appear in discussions about politics, education, and even personal habits.

Origin and Writing in Kanji

The kanji 偏 is composed of the radical 人 (person) and the component 扁, which suggests the idea of inclination or deviation. This combination reinforces the meaning of something that is not in balance, whether literally or figuratively. It is worth noting that this same kanji appears in other words, such as 偏見 (へんけん, henken), which means "prejudice."

One curiosity is that 偏る is not an extremely common verb in daily life, but it frequently appears in formal texts or critical discussions. Its use tends to be more frequent in contexts where impartiality is discussed, such as in opinion articles or behavior analyses.

Tips for Memorizing and Using 偏る

An effective way to reinforce 偏る is to associate it with concrete situations. Think of something you know that is clearly unequal, like a scale tipping to one side or a diet that ignores essential nutrients. This mental image helps to remember the central meaning of the word.

Another tip is to practice with simple sentences, such as 彼の考え方は偏っている (かれのかんがえかたはかたよっている, kare no kangaekata wa katayotte iru), which means "His way of thinking is biased." Repeating examples in real contexts makes it easier to internalize vocabulary.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 偏る

• 偏る Base form
• 偏った past
• 偏らない Negative
• 偏っている Present continuous
• 偏れ imperative

Synonyms and similar words

• 歪む (yugamu) - Deform, twist, distort.
• 傾く (katamuku) - Leaning, tilting to one side.
• 傾斜する (keisha suru) - To tilt, to have a tilt, to present an angle.
• 傾向する (keikou suru) - To tend, to show a tendency or inclination.
• 偏向する (henkou suru) - To have a particular bias or inclination, often in a subjective context.
• 偏重する (henchou suru) - Emphasize or give undue weight to something, prioritize.
• 偏見を持つ (henken o motsu) - To have prejudice is to hold a partial opinion or judgment.

偏る

Romaji: katayoru
Kana: かたよる
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n2, jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: be biased; to lean; be partial; have prejudice; bow down; be skewed.

Meaning in English: to be one-sided;to incline;to be partial;to be prejudiced;to lean;to be biased

Definition: To be biased towards a certain direction or way of thinking.

Example Sentences - (偏る) katayoru

See below some example sentences:

彼女の意見は偏る傾向がある。

Kanojo no iken wa katayoru keikou ga aru

Your opinion tends to be biased.

• 彼女の意見 - "Her opinion"
• は - Topic particle
• 偏る - "Being biased"
• 傾向 - "Trend"
• が - Subject particle
• ある - "Exist"