仁義
Meanings
humanity and justice; virtue
Confucian ethical concept combining benevolence (仁) and righteousness (義). Used in philosophical, historical, or literary contexts.
Confucius valued humanity and justice.
duty; moral obligation
A sense of duty or moral obligation, often in a traditional or formal context. Less common in everyday speech.
He acted with a sense of duty.
formal greeting (underworld)
A ritualized greeting or exchange of formalities among yakuza, street vendors, gamblers, etc. Often used in the phrase 仁義を切る. Possibly derived from 辞儀.
I saw a scene where yakuza exchanged formal greetings.
gang's moral code
The unwritten code of conduct or ethics within a gang or criminal organization.
He violated the gang's moral code.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉に仁義を尽くすto fulfill one's moral duty/loyalty toward someone
He fulfilled his duty of loyalty to his fellow gang members.
- 仁義を通すto uphold one's code of honor or moral obligation
Upholding his code of honor no matter what was his way of life.
- 仁義に厚いto be deeply loyal and dutiful
He had a reputation for being a deeply loyal and dutiful man.
- 仁義にもとるto go against one's moral code; to act unjustly
That act was criticized as going against the code of honor.
Expressions
- 仁義を切るexchange formal greetings (yakuza, gamblers, etc.)