まめ

ま

め

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 10,000

Meanings

1

na-adjective

usually written using kana alone

Describes a person who works steadily and reliably, often with a sense of earnestness and attention to detail. Common in everyday speech.

彼かれはまめに日にっ記きをつけている。
He diligently keeps a diary.

まめな人ひとは信しん頼らいされる。

A hardworking person is trusted.

2

na-adjective

healthy; well; fit

usually written using kana alonedated term

Dated usage for being in good physical condition. In modern Japanese, 元気 or 健康 is more common.

おかげさまで、まめにしております。
Thankfully, I am in good health. (archaic phrasing)

3

na-adjective

faithful; honest; sincere

usually written using kana alonedated term

Dated usage for being loyal or sincere. Today, 忠実 (ちゅうじつ) or 誠実 is normally used for this meaning.

彼かれは主しゅ君くんにまめに仕つかえた。
He served his lord faithfully. (archaic phrasing)

Written forms

まめUsage49%
Standard modern spelling; usually written in kana.
マメUsage51%
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling is sometimes used for emphasis or in casual writing.
忠実まめ
Kanji spelling is rare and mostly historical; the word is usually written in kana. This form may be confused with 忠実 read ちゅうじつ.

Kanji

忠loyalty, fidelity, faithfulness
実reality, truth, seed

Similar words

忠ちゅう実じつ
Modern word for 'faithful' or 'loyal'. まめ in the sense of 'faithful' is archaic and rarely used today.
勤きん勉べん
More formal term for 'diligent' or 'industrious'. まめ is more casual and implies steady, reliable effort.

Etymology

The historical derivation is uncertain. The kanji 忠実 is an ateji-like assignment for the native Japanese word まめ, but the word itself is of native origin.