真 面 目(まじめ)な

まじめな

na-adjective

serious; earnest; diligent; sincere

1. serious; earnest; diligent; sincere

Describes a person who is honest, hardworking, and takes things seriously. A highly valued trait in Japanese society, suggesting reliability and conscientiousness.

彼(かれ)は真面目(まじめ)な人(ひと)だ。

He is a serious person.

真面目(まじめ)に働(はたら)く姿(すがた)が評価(ひょうか)された。

Her diligent work attitude was appreciated.

彼女(かのじょ)は真面目(まじめ)な性格(せいかく)で、約束(やくそく)は必(かなら)ず守(まも)る。

She has an earnest personality and always keeps her promises.

2. serious; not joking; genuine

Describes a tone, expression, or manner that is sincere and not playful or humorous.

真面目(まじめ)な顔(かお)をする。

To put on a serious face.

真面目(まじめ)な話(はなし)がある。

I have something serious to talk about.

「冗談(じょうだん)でしょう？」「いや、真面目(まじめ)に言(い)っているんだ。」

"You're joking, right?" "No, I'm being serious."

One of the most commonly used personality descriptors in Japanese. Being 真面目(まじめ) is generally seen as a positive trait, suggesting someone you can rely on. However, it can sometimes carry a slightly negative nuance of being too rigid, boring, or unable to relax.

Common collocations

真面目(まじめ)な人(ひと): a serious/earnest person
真面目(まじめ)な性格(せいかく): a serious personality
真面目(まじめ)に働(はたら)く: to work diligently
真面目(まじめ)な話(はなし): a serious talk
真面目(まじめ)な顔(かお): a serious expression
真面目(まじめ)に取(と)り組(く)む: to tackle something seriously

Similar words

誠実(せいじつ)な: sincere / faithful — more formal, emphasizes moral integrity
勤勉(きんべん)な: diligent / industrious — specifically about hard work and study
几帳面(きちょうめん)な: meticulous / precise — emphasizes attention to detail and orderliness
堅(かた)い: stiff / rigid — can overlap with the "too serious" nuance of 真面目(まじめ)

Writing

Also commonly written in hiragana as まじめ. The kanji 真面目(まじめ) is an example of ateji (kanji chosen for sound rather than meaning).

Related Words

Compare: 誠実(せいじつ)な (sincere / faithful)

Compare: 勤勉(きんべん) (diligent / industrious)

Compare: 几帳面(きちょうめん) (meticulous / precise)

Compare: 堅(かた)い (stiff / rigid)

Compare: 真剣(しんけん)な (serious)

general

Added 2026.4.6 5:14 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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