1.
to provide accommodation; to arrange things conveniently; to offer special treatment
To make arrangements or take actions for someone's convenience or benefit, sometimes implying favoritism or special treatment beyond normal rules.
取引先に便宜を図った。
Special accommodation was provided to the business partner.
知人のために便宜を図ることは、公正さを損なう。
Providing special treatment for acquaintances undermines fairness.
議員が特定の企業に便宜を図った疑いで調査を受けている。
The legislator is under investigation on suspicion of providing special favors to a specific company.
An expression meaning to make special arrangements for someone's benefit. Often appears in news about political corruption or favoritism, where officials provide improper advantages to connected parties.
NUANCE:
While 便宜を図る can be neutral (simply accommodating someone), it frequently carries a negative connotation of improper favoritism, especially in political and business contexts.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 便宜を図る: to provide accommodation/favors
- 便宜を供与する: to grant favors (more formal)
- 便宜を与える: to give special treatment
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- 融通を利かせる: to be flexible, to accommodate — more neutral, everyday
- 配慮する: to show consideration — positive nuance
- えこひいきする: to play favorites — clearly negative
- 優遇する: to give preferential treatment — neutral to negative