Translation guide
The English verb "believe" covers several distinct meanings. This guide breaks them down into practical categories for Japanese learners, from expressing opinions to religious faith.
Expressing a personal belief, opinion, or assumption about something.
I believe (that) he's right. · I believe it's going to rain. · I believe so.
I believe that's true.
Stronger than 〜と思う, implies a firm conviction. Often used for deeply held beliefs.
私は彼が無実だと信じている。
I believe that he is innocent.
Expresses a tentative belief or conjecture, like "I think it's probably..."
明日は雨だろうと思う。
I believe it will rain tomorrow.
Expressing trust or confidence in a person's character, words, or abilities.
I believe you. · I believe in you. · Don't believe him.
The most direct verb for "believe in" or "trust" someone. Can be used for trusting a person or their words.
私はあなたを信じています。
I believe in you.
彼の言うことを信じるな。
Don't believe what he says.
Focuses on trust in someone's reliability, honesty, or credit. Often used in business or practical contexts.
彼は信用できる人だ。
He is a person you can believe/trust.
Means to rely on or count on someone/something. Implies belief in their dependability.
彼を当てにしてはいけない。
You can't believe/rely on him.
Accepting that something is true or real, often a statement, story, or fact.
I believe his story. · Do you believe in ghosts? · I can't believe it!
Used for believing a fact, story, or claim to be true.
彼の話を信じますか？
Do you believe his story?
そんなこと信じられない。
I can't believe such a thing.
Literally "think it's true," a softer way to express belief in a statement.
彼の言ったことは本当だと思う。
I believe what he said is true.
To take something seriously or at face value, often with a nuance of being gullible.
彼の冗談を真に受けた。
I believed his joke (took it seriously).
Believing in a god, deity, or religious doctrine.
Do you believe in God? · She believes in reincarnation.
The general verb for religious belief. Used with 神 (god) or specific deities.
神を信じますか？
Do you believe in God?
A more formal term for religious faith or belief, often used for organized religion.
彼は仏教を信仰している。
He believes in Buddhism.
Having faith in the value, effectiveness, or truth of an abstract concept.
I believe in democracy. · She believes in hard work.
Used with abstract nouns like 正義 (justice), 愛 (love), 民主主義 (democracy).
私は正義を信じている。
I believe in justice.
Common phrase for believing in the power of something.
教育の力を信じている。
I believe in the power of education.
信じる is a general verb for belief, trust, or faith. 信用する specifically refers to trust in a person's reliability, honesty, or financial credit. Use 信用する when you mean 'trust someone to do the right thing' or 'consider someone trustworthy.'
彼を信じているが、お金は貸せない。信用していないから。
I believe in him, but I can't lend him money because I don't trust him (financially).
While あなたを信じる is grammatically correct, it can sound stiff or overly dramatic. In casual conversation, it's more natural to say 信じるよ or rephrase as 本当だと思う (I think it's true). Context matters: if you mean 'I trust you,' 信用してるよ might be better.
In Japanese, the subject 'I' is often omitted when it's clear from context. 〜と思う already implies 'I think/believe,' so you rarely need to say 私は.