(にんじょう)

にんじょう
noun
human feelings, compassion
emotionculture
1. human feelings, natural emotions, compassion
The warm, sympathetic feelings that arise naturally between people. Encompasses empathy, kindness, and the bonds of mutual care in human relationships.
人情(にんじょう)(あつ)(ひと)だ。
That person is warm-hearted and compassionate.
この(まち)人情(にんじょう)あふれている
This town is full of warmth and human kindness.
Helping people in trouble is what human compassion is all about.
2. human nature, the way people feel
The natural tendencies and emotional responses common to all people. Often used to describe universal human sentiments.
期待(きたい)する人情(にんじょう)だ。
It's human nature to have expectations.
不安(ふあん)(おも)人情(にんじょう)だろう。
It's only natural to feel anxious.
Worrying as a parent is just human nature.

Common collocations

  • 人情(にんじょう)(あつ) (warm-hearted, compassionate)
  • 人情(にんじょう)(うす) (cold-hearted, lacking compassion)
  • 人情(にんじょう)() (a touch of human warmth)
  • 人情(にんじょう)(ばなし) (a heartwarming story)
  • 義理(ぎり)人情(にんじょう) (duty and human feelings)

Cultural: 義理(ぎり)人情(にんじょう) is a central concept in Japanese culture describing the tension between social obligation (義理(ぎり)) and personal feelings (人情(にんじょう)). The 下町(したまち) (old downtown) areas of cities are traditionally associated with strong 人情(にんじょう).