潔(いさぎよ)さ

いさぎよさ

noun

integrity; decisiveness; graceful acceptance

1. integrity; decisiveness; grace in accepting outcomes; dignified resolve

The quality of being clean-cut and decisive, especially in accepting defeat, taking responsibility, or making difficult decisions without clinging or complaining. A highly valued quality in Japanese culture.

彼(かれ)の潔(いさぎよ)さに感心(かんしん)した。

I was impressed by his integrity.

負(ま)けを認(みと)める潔(いさぎよ)さがある。

He has the grace to accept defeat.

自分(じぶん)の非(ひ)をすぐに認(みと)めた彼女(かのじょ)の潔(いさぎよ)さは、周囲(しゅうい)からの信頼(しんらい)を集(あつ)めた。

Her readiness to immediately admit her fault earned the trust of those around her.

The noun form of the i-adjective 潔(いさぎよ)い (clean-cut, decisive, graceful in defeat). This quality — accepting outcomes without excuses, making clean decisions, and taking responsibility — is deeply valued in Japanese culture, particularly in the samurai tradition.

Common collocations

潔(いさぎよ)さがある: to have integrity/decisiveness
潔(いさぎよ)さに欠(か)ける: to lack integrity
潔(いさぎよ)さに感心(かんしん)する: to be impressed by someone's grace
潔(いさぎよ)さを見(み)せる: to show integrity

Cultural note

In Japanese culture, 潔(いさぎよ)さ is associated with the samurai code of honor (武士道(ぶしどう)). It describes the ability to accept loss, blame, or difficulty without excuses, clinging, or unseemly resistance. Politicians who resign promptly after a scandal are praised for their 潔(いさぎよ)さ, while those who cling to power are criticized for lacking it.

Related words

潔(いさぎよ)い: clean-cut; decisive; graceful — the base adjective
潔(いさぎよ)く: decisively; gracefully — the adverbial form (e.g., 潔(いさぎよ)く身(み)を引(ひ)く: to gracefully step aside)

Related Words

Related: 潔(いさぎよ)い (clean-cut)

general

Added 2026.5.7 20:20 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

27000/27109_isagiyosa