How to say "innocent" in Japanese

• 純じゅんCommon
  na-adjective, taru-adjective, adverb (with と)Covers innocence in the sense of purity and chastity of heart. It is concise and often appears in describing an untainted, guileless character rather than momentary childlike behavior.
• 無邪気むじゃきJLPT N1approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounThe everyday choice for childlike, artless innocence—someone guileless and free of malice, often a child or someone acting in a carefree, unselfconscious way.
  彼女かのじょは無邪気むじゃきを装よそおった。↗

  She put on an air of innocence.
• 無垢むくCommon
  na-adjective, no-adjectiveSuits 'innocent' meaning spotless and immaculate, uncorrupted in an almost moral or spiritual sense. It suggests flawless purity rather than a cheerful or naive personality.
• ナイーブCommon
  na-adjective, nounA loanword covering innocence as uncomplicated artlessness, but also sensitivity easily hurt. Note that in Japanese it often leans toward 'sensitive' or 'delicate' more than 'innocent'.
  昨日きのうのけんかを気きにしてるの？意外いがいにナイーブなのね。↗

  Are you still letting last night's fight bother you? You're surprisingly sensitive.
• 純真じゅんしんCommon
  na-adjective, nounCovers pure, unspoilt innocence of heart—honest and free from bad intent. A good default for describing a person's sincere, naive character in neutral or positive terms.
  彼女かのじょの純真じゅんしんげなそぶりは見みせかけで本物ほんものではない。↗

  Her air of innocence is apparent, not real.

Use 無邪気 for playful childlike innocence, 純真 or 純 for pure-hearted naivety, 無垢 for spotless purity, and 「ナイーブ」 when borrowing English-flavored sensitivity or artlessness.

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

• 純じゅんinnocent
• 無邪気むじゃきinnocent
• 無垢むくpure
• ナイーブinnocent
• 純真じゅんしんpure
• 稚いいとけないyoung
• あどけないinnocent
• 無辜むこinnocent
• イノセントinnocent
• おぼこinnocent (esp. of a girl)
• 天真爛漫てんしんらんまんinnocent
• 頑是無いがんぜないinnocent
• いたいけないinnocent
• 罪がないつみがないinnocent
• 汚れを知らないけがれをしらないinnocent (e.g. child)
• 淳良じゅんりょうsimple and kind
• 罪の無いつみのないguiltless
• 子どもらしいこどもらしいchildish
• 罪なきつみなきguilt-free
• いたいけyoung and sweet
• 穢れのないけがれのないpure
• 初々しいういういしい(young and) innocent
• かわいいinnocent
• 白いしろいinnocent
• 清いきよいpure
• 潔いいさぎよいupright
• 清らかきよらかpure
• かわゆいinnocent
• うぶinexperienced (in love)