Japanese Symbol for

真実

shinjitsu

truth · reality · sincerity

Readings

  • 真 ONシンshin
  • 真 KUNま・まことma / makoto
  • 実 ONジツjitsu
  • 実 KUNみの(る)・さねminoru / sane

Meaning

Truth, reality, sincerity. 真実 combines 真 (true, genuine, real) with 実 (reality, substance, fruit). Together they mean "genuine reality" — the full, unvarnished truth.

shin / ma

truth, genuineness, reality

真理

shinri

truth (philosophical/universal)

makoto

truth, sincerity, honesty

本当

hontō

truth, reality (everyday)

真相

shinsō

truth, real situation, facts

事実

jijitsu

fact, truth, reality

Japanese has rich vocabulary for degrees of truth. 本当 (hontō) is the casual everyday word ("really?"), 真実 (shinjitsu) is solemn/formal truth, and 真理 (shinri) refers to universal philosophical truth. 誠 (makoto) — sincerity and truth — was one of the seven virtues of bushido.

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