How to say "respectable" in Japanese

• まっとうCommon
  na-adjectiveFor 'respectable' meaning honest and proper in conduct: an earnest, aboveboard person, way of life, or reason. Typical context: praising someone for living decently and doing things the right way.
• 堅気かたぎCommon
  na-adjective, nounDescribes a person, or their work, as honest and respectable — a steady, upright member of society. Typical context: contrasting such a life with the underworld or a dubious trade.
• ろくなJLPT N1approx.Common
  pre-noun adjectivalSeldom the word you want for plain 'respectable': it really means 'satisfactory, decent' and appears almost only in negative sentences, conveying 'hardly decent, no good' rather than respectability.
  麻薬まやくに手てを出だすとろくなことはない。↗

  If you mess with drugs, you're asking for trouble.
• まともCommon
  na-adjective, nounFor 'respectable' as decent, upright, and normal: someone straight and sane, or work and conduct that are proper. Nuance: being on the level rather than crooked or odd.
  まともな仕事しごとにつかなければいけませんよ。↗

  You've got to get a steady job.

For 'respectable' as honest and proper, choose 「まっとう」 or 「まとも」; for a person with a steady, respectable place in society, 堅気; 「ろくな」 appears almost only in negatives meaning 'hardly decent'.

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

• まっとうproper
• 堅気かたぎhonest
• ろくなsatisfactory
• ひとかどconsiderable
• 卑しからぬいやしからぬrespectable
• 人がましいひとがましいrespectable
• 徳の高いとくのたかいvirtuous
• みっともいいdecent
• れっきとしたaccepted
• ちゃんとしたproper
• まともhonest
• ちょっとしたconsiderable