Japanese word

無邪気

Pronunciation

Romajimujaki

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveinnocent

Example

その子は無邪気です。so no ko wa mu ja ki de su

The child is innocent.

Illustration for 無邪気 (innocent)

More examples

その子の無邪気な一言で、みんなの緊張がほぐれました。so no ko no mu ja ki na hito koto de mi n na no kin chō ga ho gu re ma shi ta

The child's innocent remark eased everyone's tension.

Core concept

Shows a straightforward, childlike openness that is free from suspicion, malice, and self-conscious calculation.

Common phrases

  • 無邪気な言葉mu ja ki na koto ba

    innocent words

  • 無邪気に尋ねるmu ja ki ni tazu ne ru

    ask innocently

  • 無邪気な態度mu ja ki na tai do

    an innocent attitude

Similar words

天真爛漫tenshinranman: Showing a bright, natural openness and lively lack of self-consciousness.
純真junshin: Having a sincere, unspoiled mind without deceit or worldly calculation.
素直sunao: Showing honest acceptance and a lack of resistance or affected behavior.
無垢muku: Being free from impurity, guilt, or corrupting thoughts.

Definition in Japanese

邪心や悪意を持たず、無心で素直なさま。ja shin ya aku i o mo ta zu mu shin de su nao na sa ma

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese word 無邪気 (mujaki, "innocent") combines 無 (mu, "without"), 邪 (ja, "evil"), and 気 (ki, "spirit or nature").

Usage tips

  • A near-native distinction is that innocent often concerns blame or knowledge, whereas 無邪気 (mujaki) concerns the uncalculated quality of someone's behavior.

Other meanings

  • childlikena-adjective

Opposites

  • 邪気jakimalicenoun

Related words

  • 無邪気さmujakisainnocencenoun

Word lists with this word