Japanese meaning of 是々非々
Reading:
ぜぜひひ (zeze hihi)
English Translation:
Evaluating based on merit without bias
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Judging each matter on its merits, free from factional or party bias; principled but not rigid.
Cultural Context:
Often invoked in politics/journalism to claim neutrality; can be criticized as opportunism if criteria are unclear.
事柄ごとに是と非を見極め、党派性に縛られず判断する姿勢。原理的だが独善とは異なる。
政治・報道で中立性の表明として用いられる一方、基準が不明確だと「風見鶏」と批判されることも。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• Noun phrase for fair judgment; often with “で判断する.”
Trap for English Speakers
May be confused with neutrality in all cases.
Example
Basic Example
彼は是々非々で物事を判断する。
He evaluates matters based on merit without bias.
Applied Example
審議会は是々非々の立場を貫き、王族であっても誤りは厳しく指摘した。
The council maintained a stance of evaluating based on merit without bias, pointing out mistakes even to royalty.