Translation guide
The English verb "believe" covers several distinct meanings. This guide breaks them down into practical categories for Japanese learners, from expressing opinions to religious faith.
I believe (that) ...
Most common way to express personal belief or opinion.
I believe you.
Literal, but often replaced with more natural phrases like 信じるよ or 本当だと思う.
Expressing a personal belief, opinion, or assumption about something.
I believe (that) he's right. · I believe it's going to rain. · I believe so.
The standard way to say "I think/believe that..." Attach to the plain form of a clause.
I believe he will come.
I believe that's true.
Stronger than 〜と思う, implies a firm conviction. Often used for deeply held beliefs.
Expresses a tentative belief or conjecture, like "I think it's probably..."
I believe it will rain tomorrow.
Expressing trust or confidence in a person's character, words, or abilities.
I believe you. · I believe in you. · Don't believe him.
Accepting that something is true or real, often a statement, story, or fact.
I believe his story. · Do you believe in ghosts? · I can't believe it!
Believing in a god, deity, or religious doctrine.
Do you believe in God? · She believes in reincarnation.
Having faith in the value, effectiveness, or truth of an abstract concept.
I believe in democracy. · She believes in hard work.
信じる is a general verb for belief, trust, or faith. 信用する specifically refers to trust in a person's reliability, honesty, or financial credit. Use 信用する when you mean 'trust someone to do the right thing' or 'consider someone trustworthy.'
I believe that he is innocent.
The most direct verb for "believe in" or "trust" someone. Can be used for trusting a person or their words.
I believe in you.
Don't believe what he says.
Focuses on trust in someone's reliability, honesty, or credit. Often used in business or practical contexts.
He is a person you can believe/trust.
Means to rely on or count on someone/something. Implies belief in their dependability.
You can't believe/rely on him.
Used for believing a fact, story, or claim to be true.
Do you believe his story?
I can't believe such a thing.
Literally "think it's true," a softer way to express belief in a statement.
I believe what he said is true.
To take something seriously or at face value, often with a nuance of being gullible.
I believed his joke (took it seriously).
The general verb for religious belief. Used with 神 (god) or specific deities.
Do you believe in God?
A more formal term for religious faith or belief, often used for organized religion.
He believes in Buddhism.
I believe in justice.
Common phrase for believing in the power of something.
I believe in the power of education.
I believe in him, but I can't lend him money because I don't trust him (financially).
While あなたを信じる is grammatically correct, it can sound stiff or overly dramatic. In casual conversation, it's more natural to say 信じるよ or rephrase as 本当だと思う (I think it's true). Context matters: if you mean 'I trust you,' 信用してるよ might be better.
In Japanese, the subject 'I' is often omitted when it's clear from context. 〜と思う already implies 'I think/believe,' so you rarely need to say 私は.
I can't believe it!
Do you believe in ghosts?