Translation guide
How to express the concept of moral correctness or incorrectness in Japanese, including common phrases for asking about right and wrong, and describing ethical judgments.
Expressing whether something is morally right or wrong
Inquiring about the correctness or morality of an action
A straightforward way to ask 'Is it right to...?'
彼に本当のことを言うのは正しいですか？
Is it right to tell him the truth?
Expressing certainty, equivalent to 'right or wrong' as in 'regardless'
Means 'in any case' or 'be that as it may', used when the rightness or wrongness doesn't change the outcome.
いずれにせよ、彼は来るだろう。
Right or wrong, he will probably come.
Similar to 'いずれにせよ', meaning 'either way' or 'regardless'.
Avoid directly translating 'right or wrong' as '正しいか間違いか' in all contexts. While it can be used, it often sounds unnatural. Use '善悪' for moral right/wrong, and 'いずれにせよ' for the 'regardless' sense.
'善悪' (ぜんあく) refers to good and evil, moral right and wrong. '正誤' (せいご) refers to correctness and incorrectness, like true/false on a test. Use '善悪' for ethical judgments, '正誤' for factual accuracy.
The most direct and common way to refer to right and wrong as abstract concepts of good and evil.
善悪の判断がつかない。
I can't tell right from wrong.
A more literal way to say 'right or wrong', often used when discussing correctness of actions or facts.
彼の行動が正しいか間違っているかは議論の余地がある。
Whether his actions are right or wrong is debatable.
Often used in the phrase '是非を問う' (to question the rightness or wrongness), more formal and often used in debates or judgments.
その政策の是非を問う。
We question the rightness or wrongness of that policy.
Asking 'Is it wrong to...?'
彼を助けないのは間違っていますか？
Is it wrong not to help him?
Refers to the ability to judge right from wrong, often used in psychological or moral contexts.
子供に善悪の判断を教える。
Teach children to judge right from wrong.
どちらにしても、結果は同じだ。
Right or wrong, the result is the same.