憚る

• Reading: はばかる
• Romaji: habakaru
• Kanji breakdown: 憚 (tan/habaka) — hesitate, hold back, be afraid of
• Pronunciation: /ha.ba.ka.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To hesitate; to refrain out of deference; to have scruples; to be afraid of causing offence. Used when social or moral considerations cause one to hold back.

A Group 1 (godan) verb with a formal, literary tone. Expresses restraining oneself due to concern for propriety, others' feelings, or social norms. Often used in the negative form 憚ることなく (without reserve) or the conditional 憚られる (one ought to hesitate). N1 contexts include formal speeches, political commentary, and literary prose.

Examples

1. 彼の面前でその話題に触れることを憚った。 I hesitated to bring up that topic in his presence.
2. 憚ることなく申し上げますが、その方針には賛成できません。 If I may speak without reserve, I cannot agree with that policy.
3. 上司の前では批判的な意見を言うことを憚る人も多い。 Many people refrain from voicing critical opinions in front of their superiors.

Usage Guide

Context: social conventions, deference, etiquette, workplace

Tone: deferential

Origin & History

From Old Japanese はばかる, related to the concept of spreading wide while also holding back. Original senses included both 'dominating an area' and 'exercising restraint.' The deference meaning has become overwhelmingly dominant in modern standard Japanese.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated