義理チョコ

• 読み: ぎりチョコ
• ローマ字: giri choko
• 漢字の分解: 義理 (social obligation) + チョコ (chocolate, from English) → obligatory chocolate
• 発音: /ɡi.ɾi tɕo.ko/

意味

Obligatory Valentine's Day chocolate given to male coworkers or acquaintances out of social duty, not romantic interest.

In Japan, women traditionally give chocolate on Valentine's Day (February 14). 義理チョコ is the obligatory kind — cheap, mass-bought chocolates for bosses, coworkers, and male acquaintances. Distinguished from 本命チョコ (chocolate for your actual romantic interest). The custom has been declining as companies increasingly ban it to reduce workplace pressure.

例文

1. 今年も義理チョコ配るの正直めんどくさい。
2. 義理チョコか本命チョコか気になって仕方ない。
3. うちの会社は義理チョコ禁止になったから楽になった。

使い方ガイド

場面: Valentine's Day, workplace, social media, seasonal conversation

トーン: resigned, humorous, sometimes complaining

正しい言い方

• 義理チョコでもお返しはちゃんとするよ (Even for obligatory chocolate, I'll properly give a return gift)
• 義理チョコ廃止の流れ賛成！ (I'm all for the trend of abolishing obligatory chocolate!)

避ける言い方

• もらったチョコを「これ義理でしょ」と本人に聞くのは空気読めない (Asking someone 'this is just obligatory chocolate, right?' is socially tone-deaf)

よくある間違い

• Not understanding the 義理チョコ vs 本命チョコ distinction — it is central to Japanese Valentine's Day culture
• Assuming 義理チョコ means the giver dislikes you — it is simply social protocol, not personal rejection

起源と歴史

Compound of 義理 (social obligation) + チョコ (chocolate). Emerged alongside Japan's unique Valentine's Day culture where women give chocolate to men. The 義理/本命 distinction solidified in the 1980s during the commercial expansion of Valentine's customs.

文化的背景

時代: 1980s commercial Valentine's culture

世代: All ages (declining among younger workers)

社会的背景: Office workers, students

地域メモ: Used across all of Japan during Valentine's season. The custom is increasingly questioned and some companies have formally banned it.