JLPT N1Words

弁える

Readingわきまえるwakimaeru

Meaning
立場や道理を正しく理解する
Explanation
「弁える(わきまえる)」 means correctly understanding and being mindful of one's position, reason, and moderation. It is used like 「身の程を弁える」 and 「礼儀を弁える」. Unlike pushing through one's preferences or showing emotions openly, it expresses behaving with discretion.
Original Japanese explanation

「弁える(わきまえる)」は、立場や道理、節度を正しく理解して心得ていることです。「身の程を弁える」「礼儀を弁える」のように使います。好みを押し通す・感情をあらわにするのとは反対に、分別をもって振る舞うことを表します。

Examples
  • 身の程を弁える
  • 礼儀を弁える

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