Translation guide
To have an unfair preference or prejudice that affects judgment. In Japanese, this is expressed through adjectives, verbs, and set phrases that describe favoritism, unfairness, or a tilted perspective.
Describing a person or their opinion as not neutral, often due to personal feelings or interests.
The most common and natural way to say someone or something is biased. It literally means 'is leaning/tilted' and implies unfairness.
彼の意見は偏っている。
His opinion is biased.
That article is clearly biased.
Means 'unfair' and is often used when bias leads to unequal treatment. It is a noun or na-adjective.
その判定は不公平だ。
That decision is biased/unfair.
Specifically means favoritism, showing bias toward a particular person or group. Often used in contexts like parenting, teaching, or workplace.
先生は特定の生徒を依怙贔屓している。
The teacher is biased toward certain students.
Means 'to have a preconception' or prejudice. It emphasizes a pre-existing bias that affects judgment.
彼は先入観があるから、公平に判断できない。
He has a bias, so he can't judge fairly.
Expressing that someone shows favoritism or leans toward a particular side.
Literally 'to hold someone's shoulder', meaning to side with or support someone, often implying bias.
彼はいつも弟の肩を持つ。
He always sides with his younger brother (is biased toward him).
To favor or show partiality. Often used for customers, teams, or individuals.
あの店は常連客をひいきする。
That shop favors its regular customers (is biased toward them).
To have a biased view or perspective. More formal and descriptive.
彼はいつも偏った見方をする。
He always takes a biased view.
Referring to bias in research, statistics, or sampling.
Literally 'data with bias'. Standard term in statistics.
この調査結果は偏りのあるデータに基づいている。
These survey results are based on biased data.
Loanword from English 'bias', commonly used in academic and technical contexts.
サンプルにバイアスがかかっている。
The sample is biased.
The English phrase 'be biased' does not have a single direct verb equivalent in Japanese. Using 偏る (katayoru) as a verb is correct, but it is often used in the te-iru form (偏っている) to describe a state. Avoid translating word-for-word as バイアスである, which sounds unnatural.
偏っている is the most general and neutral way to say 'biased'. 不公平 emphasizes unfairness. 依怙贔屓 specifically means favoritism and is often used in personal relationships. Choose based on the nuance you want to convey.