Translation guide
The quality of being honest, genuine, and without pretense. In Japanese, sincerity is often expressed through specific words, set phrases, and culturally embedded concepts like honesty, earnestness, and wholeheartedness.
Expressing that someone is honest, straightforward, and not pretending
The most direct and common translation for 'sincerity' as a personal quality. It implies honesty, faithfulness, and integrity in one's actions and words.
彼は誠実な人だ。
He is a sincere person.
誠実さが何より大切だ。
Sincerity is the most important thing.
Literally 'true heart.' Conveys deep, heartfelt sincerity, often in emotional or personal contexts. It emphasizes purity of intention.
真心を込めて手紙を書いた。
I wrote the letter with sincerity.
Implies earnestness and seriousness. Often used in formal contexts to describe a sincere attitude toward work or responsibilities.
真摯な態度で仕事に取り組む。
Approach work with a sincere attitude.
Means frankness or straightforwardness. It is sincerity in the sense of being open and not hiding one's thoughts, but can sometimes be too direct.
率直な意見を言ってくれてありがとう。
Thank you for your sincere (frank) opinion.
Describing sincere effort, dedication, or earnestness in doing something
Commonly used to describe a serious, earnest, and diligent attitude. It often implies sincerity through consistent, honest effort.
彼は真面目に勉強している。
He is studying sincerely (diligently).
Means 'serious' or 'earnest.' Often used when someone is sincerely engaged in an activity, like a discussion or competition.
Expressing sincerity when apologizing or making a heartfelt request
Means 'from the heart.' Used to emphasize sincerity in apologies, thanks, or requests. Often paired with verbs like 謝る (apologize) or 感謝する (thank).
心から謝ります。
I sincerely apologize.
心から感謝しています。
I sincerely thank you.
A formal adverb meaning 'truly' or 'sincerely.' Common in business apologies and formal letters.
In formal apologies, phrases like 深くお詫び申し上げます (I deeply apologize) convey profound sincerity. This is very formal and used in official statements.
深くお詫び申し上げます。
I sincerely apologize. (very formal)
Referring to sincerity as an ideal or moral concept in Japanese culture
A traditional word for sincerity, truth, and fidelity. It carries a deep cultural and philosophical weight, often associated with ideals of honesty and purity.
誠の心を大切にする。
Cherish a sincere heart.
A very formal and somewhat archaic term for utmost sincerity. Rarely used in daily conversation, but appears in literature and formal speeches.
誠実 (seijitsu) is about moral integrity and honesty in relationships. 真面目 (majime) is about being earnest and diligent, often in work or study. 真心 (magokoro) is about heartfelt emotion and purity of intention, often used in personal expressions like letters or gifts.
In English, we often close letters with 'Sincerely.' In Japanese, the standard closing is 敬具 (keigu) in formal letters, or simply さようなら or またね in casual ones. Using 心から or 誠実に as a letter closing would be unnatural.
彼の誠実さを疑っている。
I doubt his sincerity.
彼女は真心を込めて話した。
She spoke with sincerity.
Means 'with all one's might' or 'very hard.' It conveys sincere, wholehearted effort, though it focuses more on intensity than moral honesty.
一生懸命働きます。
I will work sincerely (with all my effort).
真剣に話し合おう。
Let's talk sincerely (seriously).
誠に申し訳ございません。
I am sincerely sorry. (very formal)
Sincerity reaches heaven. (proverb)