Japanese word

主義

Pronunciation

Romajishugi

Meaning

  • nounprinciple

Example

私は自分の主義を通します。watashi wa ji bun no shu gi o tō shi ma su

I stick to my principles.

Illustration for 主義 (principle)

More examples

私は何事も自分で決める主義です。watashi wa nani goto mo ji bun de ki me ru shu gi de su

I believe in deciding everything for myself.

Core concept

Describes a guiding belief or organized way of thinking that shapes judgments, actions, or a group's direction.

Common phrases

  • 主義を貫くshu gi o tsuranu ku

    stick to one's principles

  • 主義に反するshu gi ni han su ru

    go against a principle

Similar words

信条shinjō: A personal belief that guides choices and behavior.
方針hōshin: A chosen course that guides decisions and actions.
理念rinen: An ideal that guides the direction of a person or group.
思想shisō: A system of ideas about society, life, or other matters.

Definition in Japanese

判断や行動のよりどころとなる、基本的な考え方や立場。han dan ya kō dō no yo ri do ko ro to na ru ki hon teki na kanga e kata ya tachi ba

Word origin

主 (shu, "main") and 義 (gi, "meaning" or "principle") combine in the Sino-Japanese word 主義 (shugi), meaning a guiding principle or doctrine.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 主義 (shugi) often appears in compounds that name a way of life, such as 菜食主義 (saishoku shugi) for vegetarianism.

Other meanings

  • doctrinenoun
  • ideologynoun

Related words

  • 主義者shugishaadherentnoun

Word lists with this word