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道Nihongo Path
誠

誠·sincerity, truth, faithfulness

On-yomi
セイ
Kun-yomi
まこと

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
誠実せいじつsincere, honest
誠意せいいsincerity, good faith
誠にまことにtruly, sincerely (formal)
忠誠ちゅうせいloyalty, allegiance

Example sentences

  1. 彼はとても誠実な人だ。

    かれはとてもせいじつなひとだ。

    He is a very sincere person.

  2. この度は誠にありがとうございました。

    このたびはまことにありがとうございました。

    Thank you very sincerely on this occasion.

  3. 誠意をもって対応します。

    せいいをもってたいおうします。

    We will respond in good faith.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • 誠に is set business language; in speech people say 本当に
  • 誠 is very common as a given name (まこと)

Memory aid

Picture it

言 (words) beside 成 (to come true): saying a thing and then making it so — that is sincerity.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 誠 mean?