Translation guide
The concept of decency in English covers moral uprightness, modesty, and basic standards of acceptable behavior. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent; instead, different words and phrases are used depending on whether you mean moral integrity, modesty, or common courtesy.
Referring to a person's character or actions that are morally good, fair, and honest.
Good sense, sound judgment, or moral decency. Often used to describe a person's basic moral compass or socially acceptable behavior.
彼は良識のある人だ。
He is a person of decency.
良識に欠ける行動は避けるべきだ。
You should avoid actions that lack decency.
Sincerity, honesty, integrity. Emphasizes truthfulness and faithfulness in character.
彼の誠実さは誰もが認めている。
Everyone acknowledges his decency.
Honesty and integrity, often used in formal contexts like describing a politician's clean record. Implies moral purity.
彼は清廉潔白な政治家として知られている。
He is known as a politician of decency and integrity.
Referring to behavior, dress, or speech that is not offensive, vulgar, or sexually inappropriate.
Moderation, modesty, decency. Used for maintaining proper limits in behavior, speech, or dress.
服装に節度を保つことが大切だ。
It's important to maintain decency in dress.
彼の発言には節度がなかった。
His remarks lacked decency.
Dignity, grace, refinement. Often used for decency in terms of elegance and class.
Not obscene or indecent. A direct negation of 'obscene', used in legal or formal descriptions.
この映画はみだらでないと判断された。
This film was judged to have decency.
Referring to the minimum standard of kindness, politeness, or respect expected in society.
Minimum courtesy or manners. This is the most natural way to express 'common decency' in everyday situations.
挨拶をするのは最低限の礼儀だ。
Greeting people is common decency.
彼には最低限の礼儀もない。
He doesn't even have common decency.
Common sense as a human being. Implies basic decency expected of any person.
困っている人を助けるのは人としての常識だ。
Helping someone in need is basic human decency.
Human kindness, empathy, warmth. Can be used for decency in the sense of compassion.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all meanings of 'decency'. Using a dictionary gloss like 品位 or 良識 without context can sound unnatural. Always choose the word that matches the specific nuance you intend.
良識 (ryōshiki) is about moral judgment and good sense, while 節度 (setsudo) is about moderation and self-restraint. Use 良識 for honesty/integrity, and 節度 for modesty/propriety.
Her behavior has decency.
彼の行動には人情が感じられない。
His actions show no human decency.