善行(ぜんこう)

ぜんこう
noun
good deed; virtuous act
1. good deed; virtuous act; good conduct
A morally commendable action or behavior.
善行(ぜんこう)を積(つ)む。
To accumulate good deeds.
彼(かれ)は日(ひ)ごろから善行(ぜんこう)で知(し)られている。
He is known for his good deeds.
見返(みかえ)りを求(もと)めない善行(ぜんこう)こそが本当(ほんとう)の優(やさ)しさだと思(おも)う。
I think that good deeds done without expecting anything in return are true kindness.

Composed of 善(ぜん) (good, virtuous) + 行(こう) (conduct, deed). Refers to morally praiseworthy actions, often used in contexts related to ethics, religion, and character evaluation.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 善行(ぜんこう)を積(つ)む: to accumulate good deeds
  • 善行(ぜんこう)を行(おこな)う: to perform good deeds
  • 善行(ぜんこう)を施(ほどこ)す: to bestow good deeds
  • 日々(ひび)の善行(ぜんこう): daily acts of virtue

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 善(よ)いこと: a good thing — everyday, casual expression; 善行(ぜんこう) is more formal and elevated
  • 親切(しんせつ): kindness — describes the quality of being kind; 善行(ぜんこう) describes the action itself
  • 功徳(くどく): merit (Buddhist) — specifically religious merit from good actions; 善行(ぜんこう) is broader
  • 悪行(あくぎょう): evil deed — the opposite of 善行(ぜんこう)

REGISTER:
Somewhat formal and literary. Often appears in moral, religious, or philosophical discussions.

general
Added 2026.4.5 3:25
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