誇(ほこ)る

ほこる
verb (godan)
to boast, to be proud of, to take pride in
1. to be proud of, to take pride in
To feel pride in something, often a legitimate accomplishment, quality, or tradition. In this sense, the nuance is positive — having justified confidence or pride.
日本(にほん)が誇(ほこ)る技術(ぎじゅつ)だ。
It's technology that Japan is proud of.
この地域(ちいき)は長(なが)い歴史(れきし)を誇(ほこ)っている。
This region boasts a long history.
世界(せかい)に誇(ほこ)れる品質(ひんしつ)の製品(せいひん)を作(つく)りたい。
I want to make products of a quality we can be proud of to the world.
2. to boast, to brag
To speak proudly or show off about one's achievements or possessions. In this sense, the nuance can be negative, implying excessive self-promotion.
自分(じぶん)の成績(せいせき)を誇(ほこ)る。
He brags about his grades.
彼(かれ)はいつも自分(じぶん)の学歴(がくれき)を誇(ほこ)っている。
He's always boasting about his educational background.
過去(かこ)の栄光(えいこう)を誇(ほこ)ってばかりいても前(まえ)には進(すす)めない。
If you just keep boasting about past glories, you can't move forward.

PARTICLE PATTERNS:

  • ～を誇(ほこ)る: to be proud of ~, to boast ~
  • ～に誇(ほこ)れる: to be able to be proud of (toward ~)
  • 世界(せかい)に誇(ほこ)る: to be proud of on a world stage

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 歴史(れきし)を誇(ほこ)る: to boast a history
  • 伝統(でんとう)を誇(ほこ)る: to take pride in tradition
  • 実績(じっせき)を誇(ほこ)る: to boast achievements
  • 誇(ほこ)りに思(おも)う: to feel proud (related noun form)

USAGE:
When the subject is a place, company, or country, sense 1 (legitimate pride) is typical. When the subject is a person showing off, it can shade into sense 2 (boasting). The potential form 誇(ほこ)れる is common in positive contexts: 世界(せかい)に誇(ほこ)れる (something to be proud of internationally).

Related Words

Related: 誇(ほこ)らしい (proud (feeling))
general
Added 2026.2.28 11:13
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