善意(ぜんい)

ぜんい
noun
goodwill; good faith
emotionabstract
1. goodwill; good intentions
Kind or well-meaning intentions behind an action. The desire to help or do good for others.
善意(ぜんい)で手伝(てつだ)った。
I helped out of goodwill.
彼(かれ)の善意(ぜんい)を無駄(むだ)にしたくない。
I don't want to waste his good intentions.
善意(ぜんい)から出(で)た行動(こうどう)が、かえって相手(あいて)を傷(きず)つけてしまうこともある。
Actions that come from good intentions can sometimes end up hurting the other person.
2. good faith
In legal contexts, acting without knowledge of wrongdoing or defect. The opposite of bad faith (悪意(あくい)).
善意(ぜんい)の第三者(だいさんしゃ)は保護(ほご)される。
A good-faith third party is protected.
買主(かいぬし)が善意(ぜんい)であった場合(ばあい)、契約(けいやく)は有効(ゆうこう)となる。
If the buyer acted in good faith, the contract is valid.
善意(ぜんい)・悪意(あくい)の区別(くべつ)は法律(ほうりつ)の重要(じゅうよう)な概念(がいねん)である。
The distinction between good faith and bad faith is an important legal concept.

The antonym is 悪意(あくい) (malice; bad faith). In everyday usage, 善意(ぜんい) means good intentions or kindness. In legal Japanese, it has the specific meaning of 'without knowledge of a defect or wrongdoing,' which differs from its everyday meaning.

Common collocations

Related Words

Antonym: 悪意(あくい) (malice)
Compare: 偽善(ぎぜん) (hypocrisy)
general
Added 2026.2.18 15:08 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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