Uchikura & Co., LLC

Is Chōhō (重宝) Really a Compliment?

If you spend time in Japan, you may hear someone say, "You are chōhō." Most Japanese people mean it as a sincere compliment. They are saying you are dependable, reliable, and someone they can count on.

 

For me, however, it doesn't feel like a compliment.

 

The word focuses on a person's usefulness. It makes me wonder, Am I valued because of who I am, or simply because I am useful?

 

A computer is useful. A hammer is useful. Tools are useful.

 

People are more than that.

 

In business, I would rather tell someone they are trusted, respected, valued, or indispensable. Those words recognize both the person's abilities and their character.

 

This is simply my personal view. I understand that chōhō is almost always intended as praise in Japanese, and I appreciate the good intentions behind it.

 

Still, if I want to thank someone, I choose words that celebrate the person—not just the value they provide.

 

After all, the best employees, partners, and friends are not valuable merely because they are useful. They are valuable because of the trust, integrity, and character they bring to every relationship.