義理チョコ
의미: 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.
예문
- 今年も義理チョコ配るの正直めんどくさい。 今年又要发人情巧克力，说实话好麻烦。La verdad es que me da pereza repartir otra vez los chocolates por compromiso este año.올해도 의리 초콜릿 나눠줘야 하는 거 솔직히 귀찮다.
- 義理チョコか本命チョコか気になって仕方ない。 好在意到底是人情巧克力还是真心巧克力。No puedo evitar preguntarme si es un chocolate por obligación o uno de verdad.의리 초콜릿인지 본명 초콜릿인지 신경 쓰여서 어쩔 수 없어.
- うちの会社は義理チョコ禁止になったから楽になった。 我们公司禁止送人情巧克力了，轻松多了。En nuestra empresa han prohibido los chocolates por compromiso, así que es un alivio.우리 회사는 의리 초콜릿이 금지돼서 편해졌어.
발음
/ɡi.ɾi tɕo.ko/
사용 가이드
맥락: Valentine's Day, workplace, social media, seasonal conversation
어조: resigned, humorous, sometimes complaining
✓ 올바른 표현
- 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)就算是人情巧克力也要好好回礼的（即使是义务巧克力，我也会认真回赠）義理チョコでもお返しはちゃんとするよ (Aunque sea chocolate por compromiso, devolveré el detalle como es debido)義理チョコでもお返しはちゃんとするよ (의리 초콜릿이라도 답례는 제대로 할 거야)
- 義理チョコ廃止の流れ賛成！ (I'm all for the trend of abolishing obligatory chocolate!)支持废除人情巧克力的趋势！（我赞成取消人情巧克力的潮流！）義理チョコ廃止の流れ賛成！ (¡Estoy a favor de la tendencia de abolir los chocolates por compromiso!)義理チョコ廃止の流れ賛成！ (의리 초콜릿 폐지 흐름 찬성!)
✗ 잘못된 표현
- 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)直接问送巧克力的人「这是人情巧克力吧」很不懂读空气もらったチョコを「これ義理でしょ」と本人に聞くのは空気読めない (Preguntarle a alguien «esto es solo chocolate por compromiso, ¿no?» demuestra una total falta de tacto)받은 초콜릿을 보고 '이거 의리 초콜릿이지?'라고 본인에게 묻는 것은 눈치 없는 행동이다
흔한 실수
- 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
기원과 역사
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.
문화적 배경
Era: 1980s commercial Valentine's culture
Generation: All ages (declining among younger workers)
Social background: Office workers, students
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan during Valentine's season. The custom is increasingly questioned and some companies have formally banned it.
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