Translation guide
Describes a heart or character that is innocent, sincere, and free from impurity or malice. In Japanese, this concept is often expressed through words for purity, innocence, and sincerity, with nuances ranging from childlike naivety to moral integrity.
To describe a heart that is pure, innocent, and free from corruption or malice, often with a nuance of childlike goodness.
The most direct and common translation. '純粋' means pure, genuine, unadulterated. '心' means heart/mind. It implies sincerity and lack of ulterior motives.
彼女は純粋な心を持っている。
She has a pure heart.
Help others with a pure heart.
Emphasizes moral purity, cleanliness, and freedom from sin or impurity. Often used in literary or spiritual contexts.
清い心で祈りを捧げる。
Offer a prayer with a pure heart.
Specifically means innocent, naive, untainted by worldly knowledge. Often used for children or those with childlike purity.
子供の無垢な心に感動した。
I was moved by the child's pure heart.
A common, natural phrase meaning 'has a beautiful/clean heart'. More colloquial than 純粋な心.
あの人は心がきれいだね。
That person has a pure heart, doesn't he?
To express a heart that is sincere, genuine, and without deceit, focusing on honesty and straightforwardness.
Sincerity, true heart, devotion. Implies a heartfelt, genuine attitude, often in actions towards others.
真心を込めて手紙を書いた。
I wrote the letter with a pure heart (sincerity).
彼の真心が伝わってきた。
I could feel his pure heart (sincerity).
Faithful, honest, sincere heart. Emphasizes integrity and trustworthiness.
誠実な心で仕事に取り組む。
Approach work with a pure (sincere) heart.
To refer to a person who has a pure heart, often as a character trait.
A pure-hearted person. Simple and direct.
彼は本当に純粋な人だ。
He is truly a pure-hearted person.
A person with a beautiful/clean heart. More colloquial.
心のきれいな人になりたい。
I want to be a person with a pure heart.
純粋 (junsui) is the most general term for purity, often used for character, motives, or substances. 清い (kiyoi) has a nuance of moral or spiritual cleanliness, often used in religious or literary contexts. 無垢 (muku) specifically means innocent or naive, like a child untainted by the world.
While 純粋な心 is a valid translation, it can sound slightly abstract or formal. In casual conversation, 心がきれい or describing someone as 純粋な人 is often more natural than using the full phrase 'pure heart'.