1.
virtue, admirable quality, moral excellence
A quality or trait considered morally good or admirable. Can refer to both personal virtues and values prized by a society or culture.
美徳 refers to a morally admirable quality or trait. It combines 美 (beauty) + 徳 (virtue, morality).
Common patterns
- ~は美徳だ: ~ is a virtue
- ~を美徳とする: to regard ~ as a virtue
- 美徳とされる: to be considered a virtue
- 最大の美徳: the greatest virtue
Japanese virtues often discussed
Similar words
- 美徳: virtue (positive quality)
- 悪徳: vice (negative quality)