仁(じん)

じん
noun
benevolence; humaneness; compassion
formalcultureabstract
1. benevolence; humaneness; compassion
A central virtue in Confucian ethics, representing kindness, compassion, and love toward others. One of the five Confucian virtues and a fundamental concept in East Asian moral philosophy.
仁(じん)の心(こころ)を持(も)つ。
To have a compassionate heart.
仁(じん)は儒教(じゅきょう)の根本(こんぽん)となる徳(とく)だ。
Benevolence is the foundational virtue of Confucianism.
孔子(こうし)は弟子(でし)たちに仁(じん)の大切(たいせつ)さを繰(く)り返(かえ)し説(と)いた。
Confucius repeatedly taught his disciples the importance of benevolence.

One of the five Confucian virtues (五常(ごじょう)), 仁(じん) is considered the highest and most encompassing. It represents the ideal of treating others with genuine compassion and care. In Japanese culture, this concept deeply influenced samurai ethics (武士道(ぶしどう)) and remains a respected ideal.

THE FIVE CONFUCIAN VIRTUES (五常(ごじょう)):

  • 仁(じん): benevolence
  • 義(ぎ): righteousness
  • 礼(れい): propriety
  • 智(ち): wisdom
  • 信(しん): faithfulness

Common collocations

  • 仁(じん)の心(こころ): a benevolent heart
  • 仁(じん)を施(ほどこ)す: to bestow benevolence
  • 仁愛(じんあい): benevolent love, compassion
  • 仁義(じんぎ): benevolence and righteousness; also honor code (in yakuza contexts)
  • 仁徳(じんとく): virtuous benevolence

Usage

Also used as a male given name (仁(じん) or 仁(ひとし)). Not to be confused with the suffix 人(じん) (person), which is a different character.

Related Words

Compare: 徳(とく) (virtue)
general
Added 2026.4.9 1:34 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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