Japanese Symbol for

真実

shinjitsu

truth · reality · sincerity

Readings

  • 真 ONシンshin
  • 真 KUNま・まことma / makoto
  • 実 ONジツjitsu
  • 実 KUNみの(る)・さねminoru / sane

Meaning

Truth, reality, sincerity. 真実 combines 真 (true, genuine, real) with 実 (reality, substance, fruit). Together they mean "genuine reality" — the full, unvarnished truth.

shin / ma

truth, genuineness, reality

真理

shinri

truth (philosophical/universal)

makoto

truth, sincerity, honesty

本当

hontō

truth, reality (everyday)

真相

shinsō

truth, real situation, facts

事実

jijitsu

fact, truth, reality

Stroke order for 真
Stroke order for 実

Japanese has rich vocabulary for degrees of truth. 本当 (hontō) is the casual everyday word ("really?"), 真実 (shinjitsu) is solemn/formal truth, and 真理 (shinri) refers to universal philosophical truth. 誠 (makoto) — sincerity and truth — was one of the seven virtues of bushido.

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