1.
nepotism; favoritism toward family or close associates
The tendency to give unfair preferential treatment to one's own family members, relatives, or inner circle. Generally carries a negative connotation.
それは身内びいきだ。
That's nepotism.
社長の身内びいきで、息子が部長に昇進した。
Due to the president's nepotism, his son was promoted to department head.
身内びいきは組織の信頼を損ない、優秀な人材が離れる原因になる。
Nepotism damages trust in the organization and causes talented people to leave.
USAGE:
Always carries a critical or disapproving tone. 身内 refers to one's family, relatives, or inner circle, and びいき (from 贔屓) means favoritism. The combination implies unfair preferential treatment.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 身内びいきをする (to practice nepotism)
- 身内びいきが過ぎる (to take nepotism too far)
- 身内びいきだと批判される (to be criticized as nepotism)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 贔屓: favoritism — broader term for showing partiality toward anyone
- えこひいき: unfair favoritism — similar negative nuance but not limited to family