Japanese meaning of 公私混同
Reading:
こうしこんどう (koushi kondou)
English Translation:
Confusing public and private matters
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Confusing personal matters with professional or public duties.
Cultural Context:
Seen as unprofessional in Japanese society; maintaining a clear separation is considered essential for trust.
私的なことと公的・職務上のことを混同すること。
日本社会では職業倫理に反する行為と見なされ、信頼を得るためには明確な区別が重要とされる。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• Verb phrase with “を混同する” to describe the act of blurring the line between public/professional and private matters (“公私を混同する”).
• Also used attributively as “の人事” or “の対応” in critical contexts.
Trap for English Speakers
Might be confused with “混合” (mixing), but “混同” implies inappropriate conflation, often with a negative judgment.
Example
Basic Example
公私混同は職場の信頼を失う原因になる。
Confusing public and private matters can cause you to lose trust at work.
Applied Example
公私混同した行動が批判を浴びた。
He faced criticism for mixing personal matters with official duties.