人望が厚い

• Reading: じんぼうがあつい
• Romaji: jinbou ga atsui
• Kanji breakdown: 人 (jin) — person; 望 (bou) — hope, expectation; 厚 (atsu) — thick, deep
• Pronunciation: /d͡ʑiɴ.boː.ɡa.a.t͡sɯ.i/

Meaning

To be well-respected; to enjoy high esteem; to be trusted by many people.

A set phrase combining 人望 (trust/esteem from others) with 厚い (thick/deep). Describes someone who has earned deep trust and respect from the people around them. The adjective 厚い here conveys the depth and solidity of that respect. Commonly used to praise leaders, teachers, and other figures of authority.

Examples

1. 部長は人望が厚いので、部下がよくついてくる。 The department manager is so well-respected that his team always follows his lead.
2. 人望が厚い政治家は選挙でも強い。 A politician with deep public trust is strong at the polls too.
3. 彼女は人望が厚く、困ったときには皆が助けてくれる。 She's so highly regarded that everyone rallies around her when she's in trouble.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, character description, politics

Tone: admiring

Origin & History

A compound expression. 人望 (jinbou) refers to the trust and respect of people, while 厚い (atsui) means thick or deep, expressing the abundance of that trust. A natural collocation in Japanese.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal