How to say "virtuous" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 善良ぜんりょうna-adjective, nounCovers 'virtuous' in its plainest sense: morally good and honest as a person or their nature. Use it for ordinary goodness of character, with none of the lofty, high-minded coloring of 高潔.
- 高潔こうけつna-adjective, nounTakes 'virtuous' in its elevated sense: noble, lofty, high-minded. Choose it when praising a person of conspicuously high moral character — integrity that rises above ordinary goodness — rather than everyday decency.
- 清潔せいけつna-adjective, nounSeldom the word you want for 'virtuous': its core meaning is physical cleanliness and hygiene. Its 'virtuous' side is moral purity — a spotless, immaculate character — so use it only when that image fits.
Choose 善良 for plain moral goodness in a person, 高潔 for noble, high-minded virtue, and 清潔 only for moral purity or spotlessness, since its basic sense is physical cleanliness rather than virtue.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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