noun
firm adherence to one's principles; integrity; constancy
Refers to unwavering moral integrity, often in a Confucian sense. Can appear in compounds like 貞節 (teisetsu, 'chastity; fidelity').
彼はどんな困難にも屈せず、貞を守り通した。
He remained steadfast in his principles, never yielding to any hardship.
noun
chastity (of a woman); female virtue
Specifically denotes a woman's chastity or fidelity, often in a traditional or historical context. Commonly used in the compound 貞操 (teisō).
昔の女性は結婚前に貞を重んじるよう教えられた。
In the past, women were taught to value chastity before marriage.
A compound meaning 'chastity; fidelity,' often used in formal or literary contexts. 貞 alone is more abstract and less common in modern speech.
Specifically refers to 'chastity' or 'virtue,' especially of a woman. More concrete and commonly used than 貞 alone.
The kanji 貞 originally depicted a divination vessel and a cowrie shell, suggesting 'to divine' or 'to inquire,' later extended to mean 'correct' or 'upright.' The reading てい is the on'yomi (Sino-Japanese).