節せっ操そう

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そ

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Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

Refers to a person's unwavering adherence to their moral principles, often in the face of temptation or pressure. Commonly used in phrases like 節操がない (lacking integrity) or 節操を守る (to keep one's principles).

彼かれは金かねのためなら節せっ操そうを捨すてるような男おとこではない。
He is not the kind of man who would abandon his principles for money.
あの政せい治じ家かには節せっ操そうがない。
That politician has no integrity.

See all 15 example sentences ›

Usage patterns

節せっ操そうを守まもるto uphold one's principles
彼かれはどんな状じょう況きょうでも節せっ操そうを守まもった。
He kept to his principles no matter the situation.
節せっ操そうを捨すてるto abandon one's principles
彼かれはお金かねのために節せっ操そうを捨すてた。
He abandoned his principles for money.
節せっ操そうを失うしなうto lose one's integrity
権けん力りょくを得えるうちに節せっ操そうを失うしなっていった。
He gradually lost his integrity as he gained power.

Expressions

節せっ操そうがないunprincipled; inconstant; unscrupulous

Kanji

節node, season, period
操maneuver, manipulate, operate

Related words

誠せい実じつN1
誠実 is a broad term for sincerity and honesty in everyday dealings, while 節操 specifically emphasizes steadfast adherence to one's moral principles under pressure.
信しん念ねんN1
信念 refers to a deeply held belief or conviction itself, while 節操 is the integrity to consistently act on such beliefs.
操みさお
節操 stresses consistency of one's principles or convictions, while 操（みさお）leans more toward personal moral or sexual fidelity.

Opposites

変へん節せつ
変節 means to abandon or switch one's principles, the direct opposite of maintaining 節操.

Don't confuse with

節せつ度ど
節度 means moderation or restraint in behavior, whereas 節操 means steadfast loyalty to one's principles, not moderation.
貞てい操そう
貞操 refers narrowly to sexual fidelity or chastity, while 節操 covers moral steadfastness in general, not just sexual matters.

Word family

無む節せっ操そう
unprincipled; inconstant; unscrupulous

Etymology

Composed of 節 (せつ, 'joint; moderation; principle') and 操 (そう, 'manipulate; chastity; fidelity'). The combination conveys the idea of a principled, unwavering moral stance.