善(よ)し悪(あ)し

よしあし
noun
good or bad; merits and demerits
1. good or bad; right or wrong; merits and demerits; quality
The relative merit or quality of something, encompassing both its good and bad aspects. Used when evaluating or judging something from multiple angles.
善(よ)し悪(あ)しは別(べつ)として、決(き)まったことだ。
Regardless of whether it's good or bad, it's been decided.
この方法(ほうほう)の善(よ)し悪(あ)しを検討(けんとう)する必要(ひつよう)がある。
We need to examine the merits and demerits of this method.
物事(ものごと)の善(よ)し悪(あ)しを判断(はんだん)できる年齢(ねんれい)になった。
He has reached an age where he can judge right from wrong.

Usage

Commonly used when evaluating something without committing to a judgment: 善(よ)し悪(あ)しは別(べつ)として (setting aside whether it's good or bad). Also used to talk about the quality of results or outcomes.

Writing

Also written as 良(よ)し悪(あ)し. Both spellings are common.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 良(りょう)否(ひ): pass or fail — more formal, used for evaluation outcomes
  • 是非(ぜひ): right and wrong — more formal; also commonly used as an adverb meaning "by all means"

Related Words

Compare: 是非(ぜひ) (right and wrong)
general
Added 2026.3.20 22:45 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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