Japanese meaning of 嘘も方便
Reading:
うそもほうべん (uso mo hōben)
English Translation:
A necessary evil (in speech)
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
A necessary evil (in speech).
Cultural Context:
Accepted in Japanese social interactions to preserve harmony; relates to the cultural value of “wa” (harmony).
状況によっては嘘が有効な場合もあるという意味。
人間関係の調和を保つため、方便としての嘘を容認する文化的背景があり、「和」の価値観と結びつく。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• 嘘 (uso) = “lie” (noun)
• も (mo) = particle meaning “even”
• 方便 (hōben) = “expedient” or “means to an end” (noun, often Buddhist term)
Noun + particle + noun pattern, framing a negative concept as permissible under certain conditions.
Trap for English Speakers
Might be taken as promoting lying, missing the nuance of tactful or strategic falsehood.
Example
Basic Example
場を丸く収めるには、嘘も方便というやり方もある。
To defuse the situation, sometimes a necessary evil (in speech) helps.
Applied Example
王都の混乱を抑えるなら、嘘も方便だろ？
To keep the capital calm, a necessary evil (in speech) might be our best move.