How to say "faithful" in Japanese

• 忠実ちゅうじつJLPT N1approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounThe word for 'faithful' as loyal and devoted: a faithful friend, spouse, or servant who stays true to a person, group, or duty.
  あの翻訳ほんやくは原文げんぶんに忠実ちゅうじつだそうだ。↗

  That translation is said to be true to the original.
• 誠実せいじつJLPT N1approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'faithful' in the sense of honest and true: it describes a sincere, trustworthy character, so use it for a person who deals honestly rather than for loyalty to a cause.
  ナンシーには誠実せいじつさが欠かけているようだ。↗

  Nancy seems to lack sincerity.
• 律儀りちぎCommon
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'faithful' as conscientious and dutiful: it describes an upright, honest person who steadily does what is expected, faithfully attending to work and obligations.
• 神妙しんみょうCommon
  na-adjective, nounA marginal match for 'faithful': the word really describes a meek, docile, subdued demeanor, so for the loyalty or honesty senses of 'faithful' it is not what you want.
• 克明こくめいCommon
  na-adjectiveCovers 'faithful' as in a faithful account or portrayal: something recorded or rendered with scrupulous, minute care, true to every detail rather than loyal to anyone.

Choose 忠実 for loyalty or devotion to a person or duty, 誠実 for sincerity and honesty of character, 律儀 for conscientious, dutiful uprightness, 克明 for faithful, minute detail, and avoid 神妙, which really means meek.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 忠実ちゅうじつfaithful
• 誠実せいじつsincere
• 律義りちぎupright
• 神妙しんみょうmeek
• 克明こくめいdetailed
• 実のあるじつのあるfaithful
• 貞実ていじつfaithful
• 物堅いものがたいhonest
• 忠実やかまめやかsincere
• 貞操堅固ていそうけんごchaste (usu. to one's husband)
• 信心深いしんじんぶかいdeeply religious
• 忠なるちゅうなるdevoted
• まめfaithful
• 厚いあついkind
• 等身大とうしんだいtrue-to-life