How to say "conscience" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 良心りょうしんnounCovers the core sense of 'conscience': the inner voice that judges right and wrong and prompts guilt or scruples. This is the default word in nearly any context, from pangs of conscience to acting in good conscience.
- 善心ぜんしんnounGlossed 'conscience', but its emphasis is on virtue, a good or benevolent heart, and moral sense. Because of that leaning, it is seldom the natural choice for 'conscience' in the ordinary sense; 良心 is usually the word you want.
Use 良心 for the ordinary sense of one's inner moral voice; 善心 is a rarer word leaning toward virtue or a good heart, so it seldom replaces 良心 for 'conscience'.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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