律義・律儀|りちぎrichigi[1]atamadaka (head-high)
りつぎritsugi
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Which spelling to use
律儀律儀 is the more common written form; beginners should use it when writing this word.
律義律義 is a less common written variant of 律儀; learners are less likely to choose it as their default.
Definitions
- na-adjective, nounupright; honest; faithful; conscientious; sincere
Conjugation
| Plain form | 律義（りちぎ） |
|---|---|
| Polite (desu) | 律義です（りちぎです） |
| Negative (dewa nai) | 律義ではない（りちぎではない） |
| polite (dewa arimasen) | 律義ではありません（りちぎではありません） |
| Past (datta) | 律義だった（りちぎだった） |
| Past negative (dewa nakatta) | 律義ではなかった（りちぎではなかった） |
| Te form (de) | 律義で（りちぎで） |
| Adverbial (ni) | 律義に（りちぎに） |
| Conditional (nara) | 律義なら（りちぎなら） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym忠実ちゅうじつNeutralFaithful in carrying out duties or staying true to an original, as in 「原作に忠実」; 「律儀」 stresses scrupulous courtesy and keeping the rules.
- Synonym誠実せいじつNeutralHonest and sincere; the most general term. 「律儀」 stresses meticulous observance of obligations and courtesy.
- Synonym真面目まじめNeutralSerious and earnest; the most common word in speech, but carries no nuance of honoring obligations.
- Synonym正直しょうじきNeutralFrank and honest, common in speech; stresses simply not telling lies.
- Synonym実直じっちょくWrittenWritten style: honest and steady, almost synonymous with 「律儀」 but describing overall character.
- Synonym良心的りょうしんてきNeutralConscientious, but most often describes fair prices, as in 「良心的な店」.
- Synonym堅気かたぎNeutralColloquial: someone in a legitimate occupation, as opposed to the underworld; no nuance of courtesy.
- Synonym篤実とくじつWrittenWritten style: warm-hearted sincerity, as in 「温厚篤実」; used mainly to appraise character.
- Synonym廉直れんちょくWrittenWritten style: incorruptible uprightness, mainly for officials' conduct; rarely used.
- Synonym謹直きんちょくWrittenWritten style: cautious and serious, as in 「謹直な人柄」; stresses reserved speech and conduct.
- Related硬いかたいNeutralAs 「堅い」, means upright and dependable, as in 「堅い人」; no nuance of courtesy or obligations.
- Related忠義ちゅうぎWrittenWritten style: loyalty to one's lord, with a historical flavor; 「律儀」 is not limited to lord-vassal ties.
- Related物堅いものがたいNeutralHonest, reliable and proper; close to 「律儀」 but with a slightly old-fashioned feel.
- Antonym不義理ふぎりNeutralAntonym: failing to honor obligations or repay favors; the direct opposite of 「律儀」.
- Antonym不誠実ふせいじつNeutralAntonym: insincere and dishonest; contrasts with the trustworthy sincerity of 「律儀」.
Use 「律儀」 for scrupulously keeping courtesy and repaying favors, as in 「律儀にお礼状を書く」. For plain seriousness say 「真面目」, for honesty 「誠実」; in written style, steady honesty is 「実直」; failing to honor obligations is 「不義理」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
