Translation guide
Expressing trust, confidence, or belief in someone or something. Japanese uses different words depending on whether you trust a person's character, believe in a positive outcome, or have religious faith.
To express that you believe someone is reliable, honest, or capable.
The most common and natural way to say you trust someone's character, judgment, or ability. It implies a sense of reliance and confidence built over time.
私は彼を信頼しています。
I have faith in him.
She is a leader you can have faith in.
Often used for trusting someone's words, promises, or financial reliability. Slightly more about credibility than deep personal trust.
彼の言葉を信用していいの？
Can I have faith in what he says?
To express optimism or confidence that things will turn out well, or that someone will succeed.
A versatile verb meaning 'to believe'. When used with a person or outcome, it conveys having faith in their potential or success.
私はあなたを信じている。
I have faith in you.
未来を信じよう。
Let's have faith in the future.
Literally 'I am expecting', but often used to express that you have high hopes and faith in someone's future performance or success.
君の活躍を期待しているよ。
I have faith in your future success.
To express belief in a deity, religious doctrine, or spiritual power.
Specifically refers to religious faith or worship. Used for believing in gods, Buddha, or religious teachings.
彼女は神を信仰している。
She has faith in God.
An adjective meaning 'deeply religious' or 'pious', describing a person who has strong faith.
祖母は信心深い人です。
My grandmother is a person who has deep faith.
To express trust in something non-human, like democracy, science, or love.
Again, the most flexible verb. Can be used for abstract concepts as well.
私は愛の力を信じている。
I have faith in the power of love.
Can be used for systems or institutions when emphasizing reliability, e.g., trusting the legal system.
私たちは司法制度を信頼している。
We have faith in the judicial system.
信頼 (shinrai) is deep, personal trust in someone's character. 信用 (shin'yō) is more about credibility, often used in business or for trusting information. 信じる (shinjiru) is the broadest, covering belief in people, outcomes, and abstract concepts. For 'have faith in a person', 信頼 is often the safest choice.
彼は信頼できるが、彼の言うことは信用できない。
I trust him as a person, but I can't trust what he says.
Avoid directly translating 'have faith in' as 信仰を持つ (shinkō o motsu) unless referring to religious faith. For everyday trust, use 信頼する or 信じる.