Japanese word

誠

Pronunciation

Romajimakoto

Meaning

  • nounsincerity

Example

彼の言葉には誠があります。kare no koto ba ni wa makoto ga a ri ma su

There is sincerity in his words.

Illustration for 誠 (sincerity)

More examples

商談では、誠をもって相手に接することが大切です。shō dan de wa makoto o mo tte ai te ni ses su ru ko to ga tai setsu de su

In business negotiations, it is important to treat the other party with sincerity.

Core concept

Expresses the quality of being genuine rather than deceptive, especially in a person's words, intentions, or behavior.

Common phrases

  • 誠を尽くすmakoto o tsu ku su

    show utmost sincerity

  • 誠を示すmakoto o shime su

    show sincerity

  • 誠をもって接するmakoto o mo tte ses su ru

    treat someone with sincerity

Similar words

誠意seii: A sincere attitude shown through words, intentions, or actions toward another person.
真心magokoro: A genuine feeling or intention expressed from the heart.
真実shinjitsu: What is true and not false in a statement, fact, or account.

Definition in Japanese

人の言葉や態度に偽りがなく、真心がこもっていること。hito no koto ba ya tai do ni itsuwa ri ga na ku ma gokoro ga ko mo tte i ru ko to

Word origin

The native Japanese noun まこと (makoto, "sincerity or truth") is commonly analyzed as 真 (ma, "true") + こと (koto, "thing or matter"), while 誠 (makoto) is its kanji spelling.

Usage tips

  • The noun 誠 (makoto) can refer to sincerity in conduct as well as truth in what is said, so its meaning depends on whether the context concerns people or statements.

Other meanings

  • truthnoun

Opposites

  • 偽りitsuwarifalsehoodnoun

Word lists with this word