仁
also: にん
Meanings
benevolence; humaneness; compassion
Only with reading じん
A formal ethical term, especially the Confucian virtue of benevolence, humanity, and considerate feeling toward others.
In Confucianism, benevolence is considered one of the most important virtues.
Only with reading じん
Rare as a standalone modern noun; mainly a character or classical-style sense of 仁 meaning a person or human being.
In old explanations, 仁 is sometimes defined as 'person' or 'human.'
kernel; seed kernel
A limited botanical, food, or materia-medica use for the kernel inside a seed or stone; the reading にん is especially familiar in compounds such as 杏仁.
The 仁 in 杏仁 refers to the kernel inside an apricot seed.
Only with reading じん
Biology term; 核小体 is the clearer and more common full term, while 仁 is a shorter technical equivalent.
See also: 核小体
The nucleolus is also called 仁 in biology.
Usage patterns
- 仁を尽くすto devote oneself fully to benevolence
He was a wise ruler who devoted himself fully to benevolence for his people.
- 仁を施すto bestow benevolence or kindness (on someone)
The king bestowed benevolence upon the poor.
Expressions
- 巧言令色鮮し仁smooth talk and flattering smiles often hide a lack of true kindness
- 身を殺して仁をなすsacrifice oneself for the sake of benevolence
- 過ちを観て斯に仁を知るby observing a person's faults, one can know their virtue