1.
fault; wrong; mistake; demerit
An error or fault on one's own part — something for which one should accept responsibility. Most often appears in the fixed expression 非を認める (to admit one's fault).
自分の非を認めた。
I admitted my fault.
彼には何の非もない。
He is not at fault in any way.
相手の非を責める前に、自分の非を反省したほうがいい。
Before blaming the other party for their fault, you should reflect on your own.
Used as a standalone noun mainly in set expressions. The same kanji also serves as a productive prefix meaning 'non-' or 'un-' (e.g., 非常, 非公開), but that prefix use is separate from this noun sense.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 非を認める: admit one's fault
- 非を詫びる: apologize for one's fault
- 非を責める: blame (someone) for their fault
- 非がない: be without fault
- 是非: right and wrong (set compound)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 過ち: error, mistake — broader; covers any kind of error
- 落ち度: oversight, failing — focuses on a slip in one's duty
- 責任: responsibility — covers what one ought to bear, including for one's 非