Translation guide
The English word 'virtue' covers moral excellence, a specific good quality, an advantage or benefit, and sometimes chastity. In Japanese, different words and expressions are used depending on the intended meaning.
Referring to the quality of being morally good or righteous, often in a philosophical or ethical sense.
The most common and general term for virtue in the sense of moral goodness, integrity, or ethical excellence. Used in both everyday and philosophical contexts.
He is a person of high virtue.
It is important to accumulate virtue.
Literally 'beautiful virtue', often used for specific virtues like honesty or kindness, or in discussions of moral ideals.
Means 'goodness' or 'the good', often used in philosophical or religious contexts. Can overlap with virtue but is broader.
Referring to a particular moral quality, such as patience, honesty, or courage.
Used to list or discuss individual virtues. Often appears in phrases like 'the virtue of patience'.
Referring to a good or useful feature of a thing, method, or situation.
Means 'advantage' or 'merit'. Used when talking about the virtues of a plan, product, etc.
The phrase 'by virtue of' meaning 'as a result of' or 'because of'.
Means 'thanks to' or 'owing to'. Used for positive outcomes. Can be used for 'by virtue of' when the cause is favorable.
Referring to sexual purity or chastity, often in a dated or euphemistic sense.
Honesty is one of the virtues.
To do good / practice virtue.
Patience is a virtue.
She has many virtues.
Means 'strong point' or 'merit'. Can be used for personal virtues in a more everyday, less philosophical sense.
His virtue is his honesty.
The virtue of this plan is its low cost.
Also used for the good points of things, not just people.
The virtue of this car is its fuel efficiency.
We succeeded by virtue of his efforts.
A neutral way to say 'by' or 'due to'. Works for both positive and negative situations.
By virtue of his position, he has influence.
A formal, literary expression meaning 'because of'. Often used in written language.
By virtue of his achievements, he was praised.
Means 'chastity' or 'virtue' in the sexual sense. Used in formal or literary contexts.
To preserve one's virtue.
Refers to one's sense of chastity or sexual morality.
She has a strong sense of virtue.
Patience is a virtue.
The English phrase 'by virtue of' should not be translated word-for-word. Use 〜のおかげで for positive causes, 〜によって for neutral or formal contexts, and avoid direct translations like 徳によって unless you mean 'by means of virtue' in a moral sense.