How to say "righteous" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 正しいただしいi-adjectiveThe broad word for the moral sense of 'righteous': right, just, and honest. Use it for people, actions, and judgments that are morally right; it is the neutral, all-purpose choice here.
- 潔いいさぎよいi-adjectiveMatches 'righteous' as upright and pure of heart, but it is a dated term and seldom the word you want for this; its real force is graceful, ungrudging acceptance of defeat or loss.
For 'righteous' in the sense of morally right, just, or honest, 「正しい」 is the natural choice; 「潔い」 is a dated term whose 'righteous' sense is upright purity of heart, its real meaning being graceful, ungrudging acceptance of outcomes.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
