The Meaning of hairyo [配慮] In Japanese

配慮
はいりょ
Romaji: hairyo N4

What does 配慮 mean?

Translation and Meaning

care, consideration, thoughtful regard

Definition

配慮 means showing consideration for others or a situation by taking their needs into account, aiming to prevent trouble or offense and to respond sensitively and appropriately.

Type

noun (suru-verb)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Consideration for others, ensuring actions take others’ needs and feelings into account.
  • Thoughtful planning or accommodation in policies, events, or communication to avoid problems.
  • Social tact and sensitivity in everyday interactions, avoiding offense through mindful language or behavior.

Etymology

配 means to distribute, allocate; 慮 means to think or mind; the combination uses Sino-Japanese readings that merged into hairyo, yielding the current pronunciation.

Composition

  • 配: distribute, allocate; to set in place
  • 慮: think, consider, mind
  • Together they convey the act of giving mindful attention to others or circumstances

Usage

Used in formal and semi-formal contexts in Japanese, including business, education, healthcare, and public policy; often combined with する to form 配慮する; common in official documents, meeting notes, and polite conversation; preferred over more casual terms when signaling attentiveness to others.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine a host balancing attention and needs at a table; distribute (配) care by thinking (慮) about others, and you’ll remember hairyo as thoughtful consideration.

Variations

  • 思いやり (omoiyari) — consideration for others
  • 慎重さ (shinchōsa) — prudence, carefulness
  • 配慮不足 (hairyō fusoku) — lack of consideration
  • 配慮する (hairyo suru) — the verb form meaning to show consideration

Example Phrases

  • 周囲 の 人々へ 配慮 しつつ、 迷惑 を かけない ように 気をつける。
    Shūi no hitobito e hairyo shitsutsu, meiwaku o kakenai yō ni ki o tsukeru.
    Be considerate of the people around you and try not to cause trouble.
    Lista:
    • 周囲 (shūi) – surround; the surroundings
    • の (no) – possessive/connector particle
    • 人々へ (hitobito e) – to the people
    • 配慮 (hairyo) – consideration
    • しつつ、 (shitsutsu,) – while
    • 迷惑 (meiwaku) – trouble/inconvenience
    • を (o) – object marker
    • かけない (kakenai) – do not cause
    • ように (yō ni) – in order to / so that
    • 気をつける (ki o tsukeru) – be careful
    The word 「周囲」 means the surroundings or people nearby; used with の to form 「周囲の人々」 meaning the people around you. The construction 「しつつ」 means ‘while doing’, and 「ように気をつける」 expresses being careful not to cause trouble.
  • 授業中は学生の事情にも配慮するべきだ。
    Jugyōchū wa gakusei no jijō ni mo hairyo suru beki da.
    During class, one should also be considerate of students’ circumstances.
    Lista:
    • 授業中 (Jugyōchū) – during class
    • は (wa) – topic marker
    • 学生の事情 (gakusei no jijō) – students’ circumstances
    • にも (nimo) – also to
    • 配慮 (hairyo) – consideration
    • するべき (suru beki) – should do
    • だ (da) – is
    Core point: 「配慮」 means ‘consideration’; here it is paired with するべき to mean ‘should consider’.
配慮