How to say "dignity" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 尊厳そんげんna-adjective, nounThe inherent worth or sanctity of a person, as in human dignity. This is the word for rights, life, and death contexts, emphasizing that a person deserves respect simply as a human being.
- 威厳いげんnounThe dignity or majesty of someone in a position of authority, shown in bearing and presence — a king, a judge, an elder statesman. It suggests an imposing gravity that commands respect from others.
- nounDignity as personal self-respect or pride: refusing to be humiliated or to accept shabby treatment. A loanword, so it is informal in feel compared with the other words here.
- 品ひんnounElegance and refinement in appearance, taste, or behavior. For 'dignity' it covers the sense of a quiet, graceful class in how someone carries themselves; it is really about refinement rather than worth or authority.彼は品がない。↗He is a common sort of man.
- 品格ひんかくnounDignity as cultivated grace and quality in a person's manner, bearing, or style. Close to 品 but more sustained; suits describing someone, a garment, or a setting as having classy dignity.
Use 尊厳 for inherent human worth, 威厳 for imposing authority, 「プライド」 for self-respect, and 品 or 品格 for graceful, refined dignity of manner or bearing.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 尊厳そんげんdignity
- 威厳いげんdignity
- プライドpride
- 品ひんelegance
- 品格ひんかくdignity
- 高位こういdignity
- 品位ひんいdignity
- 威風いふうmajesty
- 威信いしんprestige
- 体面たいめんhonour
- 神聖しんせいholiness
- 面目めんぼくface
- 気品きひんelegance
- 威儀いぎdignity
- 沽券こけんdignity
- 気韻きいんdignity
- ディグニティdignity
- 貫禄かんろくpresence
- 矜持きょうじpride
- 威いpower
- 面目次第めんぼくしだいface
- 顔かおhonor (honour)
- 名誉めいよprestige
- 器量きりょう(public) estimation (esp. of a man)
- 重みおもみweight (e.g. of someone's words)
- 顔かんばせhonor (honour)
- 具合ぐあいface
See also
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