How to say "morality" in Japanese

• 義ぎCommon
  no-adjectiveMorality as righteousness, justice, or honour: a personal sense of what is right that one is bound to uphold. Choose it when 'morality' means rectitude or duty rather than a code of morals.
• 道徳どうとくJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounMorality as a body of morals: general principles of right and wrong shared or taught in a society. It fits talk of moral values and moral education.
  この学校がっこうは生徒せいと達たちに高度こうどな道徳どうとく水準すいじゅんを課かする。↗

  This school sets high moral standards for pupils.
• モラルCommon
  nounA loanword covering morals, morality, and ethics, with the flavour of the English original. It suits talk of moral standards in personal, business, or public life.
  皆みなさんは、モラルを大切たいせつにしていますか。↗

  Do you all place great importance on morals?
• 道義どうぎCommon
  nounMorality as moral principles: the duties and obligations people are bound to observe in their dealings with others. It fits when 'morality' means moral duty or principle rather than morals in general.
  医師いしが患者かんじゃの秘密ひみつを漏もらすのは道義どうぎにもとる。↗

  It is not ethical for a doctor to reveal confidences.
• 徳義とくぎCommon
  nounMorals and morality, with sincerity as a central shade of meaning. For plain 'morality' it is seldom the word you want; choose it when moral integrity or sincerity is at issue.

For morality as a general domain of right and wrong choose 道徳 or the loanword 「モラル」; 義 covers righteousness, justice, and honour; 道義 points to moral principles and obligations; 徳義 adds a shade of sincerity.

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

• 義ぎmorality
• 道徳どうとくmorals
• モラルmorals
• 道義どうぎmorality
• 徳義とくぎmorals
• モラリティーmorality
• 道徳性どうとくせいmorality
• 倫理性りんりせいmorality