正|せいsei[1]atamadaka (head-high)

JLPT N3approx.Common
Definitions
  1. no-adjective(logical) true; regular
  2. numeral10^40; ten duodecillion
  3. no-adjectiveoriginal
  4. no-adjective, mathpositive; greater than zero
  5. noun, philosophythesis (in dialectics)
Synonyms & antonyms
  • RelatedまともNeutralRead まとも. Covers the front side and being decent or upright, as in 「まともな人」「まともに答える」; common in speech, and mostly about how people behave.
  • Related正しさNeutralRefers to correctness or validity, as in 「主張の正しさ」; it is the noun form, whereas 「正」 mostly serves as a prefix or technical term.
  • Antonym邪よこしまWrittenWicked or immoral, as in 「邪な考え」. A written-style word, it opposes 「正」 in terms of good and evil.
  • Antonym誤ごWrittenMeans error; mostly used as a prefix or in 「正誤」. A written-style word, it is the direct opposite of 「正」.

「正」 is mostly a technical term or used in paired expressions like 「正と負」 and 「正誤」. For 'correct' in daily speech use 「正しい」, for 'decent' use 「まとも」; 「誤」 and 「邪」 are its written-style opposites.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. (セイ)正ただしいこと。
  2. (セイ)良よい状態じょうたい。肯定的こうていてきな状態じょうたい。好このましい状態じょうたい。
  3. (セイ)実数じっすうで零れいより大おおきいこと。
  4. (セイ)相関そうかん関係かんけいにおいて、二ふたつの変数へんすうが同様どうように増減ぞうげんすること。相関係数そうかんけいすうが正せいであること。
  5. (セイ)10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 = 10⁴⁰を表あらわす。澗かんの次つぎで載の前まえの位くらい。
  6. 画が線せん法ほうの5。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

Say it right, write it right

Core lookup works fully offline, with cloud pronunciation and one-tap save & review. Free, no sign-up.

Free downloadWindowsFree downloadmacOSDownload on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
MobileiOS / Android

Android

QR code for the Google Play pageGet it on Google Play

Scan it with your Android phone to install, or search for “Tomoshi” on Google Play.

iOS

QR code for the App Store pageDownload on the App Store

Scan it with your iPhone camera to install, or search for “Tomoshi” in the App Store.

Install the browser extensionLook words up on any web page · Chrome / Edge / Safari

Screenshot of a Tomoshi lookup resultScreenshot of Tomoshi lookup results on a phone

Windows macOS Chrome / Edge / Safari extension iOS / Android