noun, na-adjective, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
virtueless; lacking virtue
Describes a person or character as lacking moral virtue or goodness. Often used in literary or philosophical contexts.
彼は無徳な人物として描かれている。
He is portrayed as a virtueless character.
noun, na-adjective, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
Archaic usage meaning poor or lacking material wealth. Not used in modern Japanese; replaced by 貧しい or 貧乏.
古文書には「無徳の者」という表現が見られる。
In old documents, the expression '無徳の者' (a poor person) can be found.
Compound of 無 (mu, 'without') and 徳 (toku, 'virtue'). The archaic sense 'poor' likely derives from the idea of lacking material blessings or merit.