信 念(しんねん)

しんねん

noun

belief, conviction, faith

See also: 新年(しんねん) (New Year (homophone))

1. belief, conviction, faith

A firmly held opinion, principle, or set of values that guides one's actions.

彼(かれ)は自分(じぶん)の信念(しんねん)を曲(ま)げない。

He doesn't bend his beliefs.

強(つよ)い信念(しんねん)を持(も)って行動(こうどう)する。

I act with strong conviction.

信念(しんねん)に基(もと)づいて決断(けつだん)した。

I made the decision based on my beliefs.

信念(しんねん) combines 信(しん) (believe) + 念(ねん) (thought/mind).

Common patterns

信念(しんねん)を持(も)つ (to have conviction)
信念(しんねん)を貫(つらぬ)く (to stick to one's beliefs)
信念(しんねん)を曲(ま)げる (to bend one's beliefs)
信念(しんねん)に基(もと)づく (to be based on conviction)

Similar words

信念(しんねん): conviction, belief (personal principles)
信仰(しんこう): faith (religious)
信条(しんじょう): creed, belief (life principles)
確信(かくしん): conviction (certainty about something specific)

Usage

Often used in contexts of personal integrity and standing firm
Has a positive connotation of strength and principle

Related Words

Related: 信仰(しんこう) (religious faith)

Related: 確信(かくしん) (conviction)

Compare: 信条(しんじょう) (creed, belief)

Compare: 理念(りねん) (principle)

Compare: 気骨(きこつ) (backbone)

general

Added 2026.1.11 20:15 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

03000/03074_shinnen