Japanese word

モラル

Pronunciation

Romajimoraru

Meaning

  • nounmorals

Example

彼はモラルを大切にします。kare wa mo ra ru o tai setsu ni shi ma su

He values morals.

Illustration for モラル (morals)

More examples

仕事では、モラルに反する行為を避けます。shi goto de wa mo ra ru ni han su ru kō i o sa ke ma su

At work, I avoid actions that go against morals.

Core concept

Refers to the shared standards of right and wrong that shape behavior in a society.

Common phrases

  • モラルを守るmo ra ru o mamo ru

    observe moral standards

  • モラルに反するmo ra ru ni han su ru

    violate moral standards

  • モラルが問われるmo ra ru ga to wa re ru

    morals are called into question

  • モラルの低下mo ra ru no tei ka

    decline in moral standards

  • モラルに欠けるmo ra ru ni ka ke ru

    lack morals

Similar words

道徳dōtoku: Ideas about proper and improper conduct that a society teaches and expects people to follow.
倫理rinri: A system of principles for deciding what conduct is right or wrong.
道義dōgi: A sense of duty and proper conduct that supports respectful human relations.

Definition in Japanese

社会生活で人が守るべき善悪の基準や、それに沿って行動しようとする意識。sha kai sei katsu de hito ga mamo ru be ki zen aku no ki jun ya so re ni so tte kō dō shi yō to su ru i shiki

Word origin

The Japanese noun モラル (moraru, "morals") is a loanword from English moral, which comes through French from Latin moralis, "of character or conduct."

Usage tips

  • The Japanese loanword モラル (moraru) is closer to English morals than to moral, which usually modifies a noun, as in moral behavior.

Other meanings

  • ethicsnoun

Opposites

  • 不道徳fudōtokuimmoralityna-adjective

Word lists with this word