Japanese word

善意

Pronunciation

Romajizen'i

Meaning

  • noungood intentions

Example

彼は善意からその提案をしました。kare wa zen i ka ra so no tei an o shi ma shi ta

He made the proposal with good intentions.

Illustration for 善意 (good intentions)

More examples

相手の善意を信じて、丁寧に事情を説明しました。ai te no zen i o shin ji te tei nei ni ji jō o setsu mei shi ma shi ta

Trusting the other person's good intentions, I explained the situation carefully.

Core concept

An action or attitude comes from a sincere wish to help or improve a situation rather than from a selfish aim.

Common phrases

  • 善意に基づくzen i ni moto zu ku

    based on good intentions

  • 善意の行動zen i no kō dō

    an act of goodwill

  • 善意を受け入れるzen i o u ke i re ru

    accept someone's goodwill

Similar words

好意kōi: A friendly or favorable feeling toward someone, often shown through helpful actions.
厚意kōi: A generous feeling or helpful consideration shown toward another person.
親切shinsetsu: Kind treatment or help given to make things easier for another person.

Definition in Japanese

人や物事をよくしようとする、私心のない親切な気持ち。hito ya mono goto o yo ku shi yō to su ru shi shin no na i shin setsu na ki mo chi

Word origin

善意 (zen'i) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 善 (zen, "good") and 意 (i, "intention"), expressing a good motive toward others.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese legal language, 善意の第三者 (zen'i no daisansha) means a third party who is unaware of a relevant fact, not a kind third party.

Other meanings

  • goodwillnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word