Japanese Conversation · Level 62
75 words
Japanese word
まっとう
Pronunciation
Romajimattō
Meaning
- na-adjectivedecent
Example
彼はまっとうな人です。kare wa ma ttō na hito de su
He is a decent person.
More examples
その店はまっとうな商売を続けています。so no mise wa ma ttō na shō bai o tsuzu ke te i ma su
That shop continues to run an honest business.
Core concept
Describes a person, action, or state that meets a sound moral or social standard rather than being crooked or improper.
Common phrases
まっとうな人ma ttō na hito
a decent person
まっとうな仕事ma ttō na shi goto
honest work
まっとうに生きるma ttō ni i ki ru
live decently
Similar words
まともmatomo: Describes a person, action, or state as normal, proper, and acceptable.
誠実seijitsu: Describes a person or attitude as honest, sincere, and faithful to duties or promises.
まじめmajime: Describes a person or attitude as serious, earnest, and willing to act responsibly.
Definition in Japanese
道理や社会の規範にかなっていて、誠実で正しいさま。dō ri ya sha kai no ki han ni ka na tte i te sei jitsu de tada shi i sa ma
Word origin
The origin of まっとう (mattō, "decent") is uncertain, but its common spelling 真っ当 (mattō) contains 真 (ma, "true") and 当 (tō, "right"); the form 真当 (mattō) is also found.
Usage tips
- Unlike English decent, まっとう (mattō) often highlights honesty and proper conduct when it describes a person.
Other meanings
- honestna-adjective
- properna-adjective
- respectablena-adjective
Opposites
- いい加減iikagencarelessna-adjective
Related words
- まっとうさmattōsadecencynoun