How to say "gentleman" in Japanese

• 紳士しんしJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounThe direct equivalent for 'gentleman' as a courteous, well-mannered man. Typical context: describing or praising a man's polite, considerate behavior — 'he's a real gentleman.'
  彼かれが紳士しんしだなんてとんでもない。↗

  He is anything but a gentleman.
• 方かたJLPT N5approx.Common
  nounNot a word for gentlemanly character: this is the respectful (sonkeigo) term for 'person', so it yields 'gentleman' or 'lady' only when you politely refer to someone, as in introductions.
  グリーン夫人ふじんは、私の子供こどもたちが歌うたを習ならっている方かたですが、今度こんどの日曜にちように独唱どくしょう会かいを開ひらく予定よていです。↗

  Mrs. Green, from whom my children have lessons in singing, is to have a recital next Sunday.
• フェミニストCommon
  nounDespite its resemblance to English 'feminist', this loanword means a man who indulges or is very attentive to women; it is only a narrow match for 'gentleman', not the general term for a well-mannered man.
  田中たなか氏しはフェミニストだ。↗

  Mr Tanaka is a chivalrous man.

Use 紳士 for a gentleman in the sense of a courteous, well-mannered man; 方 only when politely referring to a person; 「フェミニスト」 narrowly for a man who indulges or is very attentive to women.

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

• 紳士しんしgentleman
• ジェントルマンgentleman
• 人士じんしgentleman
• 士君子しくんしgentleman
• 御方おかたlady
• 君子くんしman of virtue
• 方かたperson
• フェミニストman who indulges women