憚る（はばかる）
JLPT N1 · Godan verb (Group 1)
Pitch accent: nakadaka (middle-high) — pitch drops after mora 3
Meaning: to hesitate / refrain
Conjugation
| Form | Japanese | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| masu-form (polite) | 憚ります | はばかります |
| te-form | 憚って | はばかって |
| ta-form (past) | 憚った | はばかった |
| nai-form (negative) | 憚らない | はばからない |
| potential form | 憚れる | はばかれる |
Example sentences
- 人目を憚って行動する。 — She acts cautiously, mindful of others' eyes.
- 憚ることなく意見を述べる。 — He states his opinion without hesitation.
Idioms & proverbs containing “憚る”
- 過ちては則ち改むるに憚ること勿れ (あやまちてはすなわちあらたむるにはばかることなかれ) — when you make a mistake, don't hesitate to correct it; do not delay in making amends for your wrongs
Related words
See it used in real works
- Example sentences from Japanese novels & web fiction (Massif)
- Hear “憚る” pronounced in real videos (YouGlish)