Prefix used with direction words to mean 'exactly' or 'directly', e.g. 真上 (まうえ) 'directly above', 真東 (まひがし) 'due east'.
See also: 真上 (まうえ)
The sun is beating down from directly above.
Prefix that intensifies adjectives or nouns to mean 'completely' or 'truly', often with a geminate consonant, e.g. 真っ白 (まっしろ) 'pure white', 真っ暗 (まっくら) 'pitch dark'.
See also: 真っ白 (まっしろ)
Noun meaning 'truth' or 'reality', often used in set phrases like 真に受ける (まにうける) 'to take seriously' or 真に迫る (まにせまる) 'to be realistic'. Not commonly used as a standalone noun in modern Japanese.
See also: 真に受ける
If you go straight along this road, you'll come out at the station.
It's pitch dark outside and I can't see anything.
What he says is a complete lie.
I took his joke seriously and got angry.
The acting in this movie is very realistic.
真実 is a more formal, standalone noun for 'truth', whereas 真 is a bound, archaic-feeling noun used mostly in set phrases.
serious; earnest; sober; grave · honest; sincere
imitation; copying; mimicry · behavior; conduct; action
midsummer; height of summer; middle of summer
bright red; deep red; flushed · downright; complete; utter
straight; direct; upright · straightforward; honest; frank
Standard kanji spelling for the prefix and noun uses.
The prefix ま is native Japanese, likely related to the adjective 真 (まこと) 'truth' or the idea of 'true, real'. The exact derivation is uncertain.
pitch-dark; completely dark · very bleak; utterly hopeless
pitch black; completely black
serious look; straight face
right under; directly below
midwinter; dead of winter
right in the middle of; in the midst of; at the height of
right above; directly overhead
directly opposite; right in front
deep blue; bright blue · ghastly pale; white as a sheet
directly opposite; right in front · middle of the forehead · helmet front
sincerity; true heart; devotion
at full speed; headlong; impetuously
Japanese spindle tree
middle; center; heart
spread-out sail; full sail; downwind sailing
midday; broad daylight
kanji (as opposed to kana) · printed style of Chinese characters; square style; block style · real name
right beside; directly to the side
right behind; directly behind
mimic; imitate; copy
brand new; fresh; unused
Pacific cod