How to say "righteousness" in Japanese

• 正義せいぎJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounThe everyday word for justice and moral rightness, covering most senses of 'righteousness'. Use it when speaking of what is right in society, law, or personal conviction, as in discussing justice or fighting for what is right.
  最後さいごには正義せいぎは勝かつものだ。↗

  Justice will prevail in the end.
• 義ぎCommon
  no-adjectiveCovers righteousness in the sense of moral duty, honour, and justice. It has a formal, sometimes traditional flavour, well suited to discussions of ethics, loyalty, or a person's sense of moral obligation.
• 公道こうどうCommon
  nounMatches 'righteousness' in the sense of the right path or justice, but it is a formal, written-style word. For ordinary uses of 'righteousness' it is seldom the word you want; 正義 is usually the better choice.

Use 正義 for justice and moral rightness in everyday talk, 義 for moral duty or honour in formal or traditional contexts, and 公道 for the just or right path in formal written style.

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

• 正義せいぎjustice
• 義ぎmorality
• 是ぜrighteousness
• 正路せいろrighteousness
• 善道ぜんどうpath of virtue
• 公道こうどうrighteousness