Japanese meaning of 八方美人
Reading:
はっぽうびじん (happō bijin)
English Translation:
People pleaser
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Trying to please everyone, often at the expense of one’s own principles.
Cultural Context:
Sometimes used negatively to mean trying too hard to please everyone.
誰からも好かれようとして八方に気を使うこと。
全員に好かれようとしすぎる様子を否定的に使うこともある。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• Noun phrase without particles in fixed expressions.
Trap for English Speakers
May be taken literally as “beautiful in eight directions.”
Example
Basic Example
八方美人な態度は信頼を失うこともある。
Being a people pleaser can sometimes lose you trust.
Applied Example
「誰にでもいい顔してるな。まさに八方美人だ。」
You’re trying to please everyone — a real people pleaser.