誠
まこと
sincerity; truth; fidelity; devotion
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Examples
客に誠を尽くす。
きゃくにまことをつくす。
To serve customers with all one's sincerity.
嘘から出た誠。
うそからでたまこと。
Many a true word is spoken in jest.
彼は誠のある人だと皆が言う。
かれはまことのあるひとだとみながいう。
Everyone says he is a man of sincerity.
この度はご迷惑をおかけし、誠に申し訳ございません。
このたびはごめいわくをおかけし、まことにもうしわけございません。
We are truly sorry for the trouble we have caused you.
Common patterns
- 誠を尽くす
- to act with complete sincerity
- 誠に申し訳ございません
- we are truly sorry (business apology)
- 嘘から出た誠
- a truth that started as a lie (proverb)
Memory tip
Literary and formal. You will meet it most often as the adverb 誠に, the stiff 'truly' of business apologies and announcements. Everyday sincerity is 誠実さ; the everyday 'truth' is 本当.
Kanji in this word
Quick check
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What does 誠 mean?