人情

• Reading: にんじょう
• Romaji: ninjou
• Kanji breakdown: 人 (nin) — person, human; 情 (jō) — emotion, feeling, sympathy
• Pronunciation: /niɴ.dʑoː/

Meaning

Humanity; empathy; kindness; human feeling. The warm, compassionate side of human nature.

A noun describing the natural feelings of compassion and warmth that humans have for one another. A deeply important concept in Japanese culture, particularly associated with the shitamachi (downtown) culture of Tokyo and traditional communities. 人情味 (ninjoumi, human warmth) and 人情に厚い (rich in human feeling) are common collocations.

Examples

1. この町は人情に厚い人が多い。 There are many warmhearted people in this town.
2. 都会では人情が薄れてきたと言われている。 It is said that human warmth has been fading in the city.
3. 下町の人情味あふれる商店街を歩いた。 I walked through a shopping street in the old downtown area, full of warmth and community spirit.

Usage Guide

Context: culture, community, literature

Tone: positive

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 人 (nin, person) + 情 (jō, emotion/feeling). Literally 'human emotion' — the innate warmth and compassion of human nature.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo period

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal