Japanese word

誠意

Pronunciation

Romajiseii

Meaning

  • nounsincerity

Example

彼は誠意を示します。kare wa sei i o shime shi ma su

He shows sincerity.

Illustration for 誠意 (sincerity)

More examples

店員は苦情に誠意を持って対応しました。ten in wa ku jō ni sei i o mo tte tai ō shi ma shi ta

The clerk handled the complaint in good faith.

Core concept

Describes an honest commitment to treat a person or matter seriously and act with genuine good faith.

Common phrases

  • 誠意を示すsei i o shime su

    show sincerity

  • 誠意を見せるsei i o mi se ru

    show good faith

  • 誠意を持って対応するsei i o mo tte tai ō su ru

    respond in good faith

  • 誠意ある交渉sei i a ru kō shō

    good-faith negotiations

Similar words

誠実さseijitsusa: Honest and dependable conduct toward people, duties, or matters.
真心magokoro: Warm, genuine care expressed toward another person.
善意zeni: A helpful or fair intention held toward another person or matter.

Definition in Japanese

相手や物事に真剣に向き合い、偽りなく尽くそうとする気持ち。ai te ya mono goto ni shin ken ni mu ki a i itsuwa ri na ku tsu ku sō to su ru ki mo chi

Word origin

誠意 (seii) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 誠 (sei, "truth") and 意 (i, "intention"), expressing an intention grounded in truthfulness.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English sincerity, 誠意 (seii) in phrases such as 誠意を示す (seii o shimesu) can point to conduct that demonstrates good faith, not only to an inner feeling.

Other meanings

  • good faithnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word