JLPT · Level 93
45 words
Japanese word
善良
Pronunciation
Romajizenryō
Meaning
- na-adjectivegood
Example
彼は善良な人です。kare wa zen ryō na hito de su
He is a good person.
More examples
彼女は善良な隣人として信頼されています。kano jo wa zen ryō na rin jin to shi te shin rai sa re te i ma su
She is trusted as a good neighbor.
Core concept
Refers to a person whose inner character consistently shows kindness and virtue.
Common phrases
善良な人zen ryō na hito
a good person
善良な市民zen ryō na shi min
a good citizen
善良な性格zen ryō na sei kaku
a good character
Similar words
親切shinsetsu: Describes a person who willingly helps others and treats them with care.
誠実seijitsu: Describes a person who is honest and acts sincerely toward others.
温厚onkō: Describes a person with a calm, gentle, and mild character.
高潔kōketsu: Describes a person with noble moral standards and a pure character.
Definition in Japanese
人柄がよく、他人に親切で、正しい行いをするさま。hito gara ga yo ku ta nin ni shin setsu de tada shi i okona i o su ru sa ma
Word origin
善良 (zenryō) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 善 (zen, "good") and 良 (ryō, "good"), with both characters reinforcing the sense of goodness.
Usage tips
- In Japanese, 善良 (zenryō) often appears before nouns such as 市民 (shimin, "citizen"), so it is useful for recognizing formal descriptions in news and official writing.
Other meanings
- good-naturedna-adjective
- virtuousna-adjective
- honestna-adjective
Opposites
- 邪悪jaakuwickedna-adjective
Related words
- 善良さzenryōsagoodnessnoun