Translation guide
The English word "faith" covers a range of meanings from religious belief to trust in a person or system. In Japanese, different words and expressions are used depending on the nuance. This guide helps learners choose the most natural Japanese equivalent for each context.
Expressing belief in a religion, god, or spiritual doctrine.
The standard term for religious faith or belief. It refers to the act of believing in a religion or deity.
彼はキリスト教の信仰を持っている。
He has Christian faith.
信仰の自由は基本的人権だ。
Freedom of faith is a fundamental human right.
Often used for personal piety or devoutness, especially in a Buddhist context. Can also mean faith in a more heartfelt, devotional sense.
祖母は毎朝仏壇に手を合わせる信心深い人だ。
My grandmother is a person of deep faith who prays at the family altar every morning.
More like 'conviction' or 'creed'. Can be used for religious faith as a firmly held belief, but is broader.
彼の信念は揺るがない。
His faith is unshakable.
Expressing reliance on someone's integrity, ability, or character.
The most common word for trust or confidence in a person, organization, or system. Implies reliability and dependability.
私は彼を信頼している。
I have faith in him.
この会社は顧客からの信頼が厚い。
This company enjoys strong faith from its customers.
Often used for trust in terms of credibility, financial trustworthiness, or believing someone's words. Slightly more transactional than 信頼.
The verb 'to believe'. Can be used for faith in a person or thing, but is more general. Often used in the form 〜を信じている.
Formal term for trust, often used in political or official contexts (e.g., vote of confidence).
Expressing faithfulness or devotion, often in relationships or duties.
Loyalty or allegiance, often used for fidelity to a lord, country, or organization. Can be used for 'faith' in the sense of keeping faith with someone.
彼は王に忠誠を誓った。
He pledged his faith to the king.
Faithfulness to one's word or promise; good faith. Often used in the phrase 信義を守る (keep faith).
Sincerity and faithfulness. Can be used to describe a person who acts in good faith.
Expressing honest intent, sincerity in dealings.
Good faith, good intentions. Often used in legal or formal contexts. 善意の第三者 (bona fide third party).
彼は善意でその申し出を受け入れた。
He accepted the offer in good faith.
Sincerity, good faith. Often used when showing earnest effort or honesty in negotiations.
Encouraging someone to remain hopeful or steadfast.
To stick to one's convictions. A natural way to express 'keep the faith' in the sense of not giving up on one's beliefs.
どんな困難があっても信念を貫きなさい。
No matter what difficulties you face, keep the faith.
Don't abandon hope. A more direct encouragement, similar to 'keep the faith' in a secular sense.
最後まで希望を捨てるな。
Keep the faith until the end.
信頼 (shinrai) is deep trust in a person's character or ability, often built over time. 信用 (shinyou) is more about believing someone's words or trusting their credibility, and can be used for financial trust. 信じる (shinjiru) is the general verb 'to believe' and can be used in many contexts, but is less formal than the nouns.
彼は信頼できる上司だ。
He is a boss I can have faith in.
彼の言うことは信用できない。
I can't have faith in what he says.
私は彼を信じている。
I have faith in him.
The katakana word フェイス (feisu) is rarely used and usually refers to 'face' (as in facial expression) or in specific compound terms. Do not use it to mean 'faith'.
彼の言葉を信用していいのか？
Can I have faith in what he says?
あの店は信用できる。
That shop can be trusted (I have faith in that shop).
私はあなたを信じている。
I have faith in you.
内閣信任決議案が提出された。
A motion of faith in the cabinet was submitted.
He is a man of good faith.
彼の誠実な態度に心を打たれた。
I was moved by his faithful (sincere) attitude.
To negotiate in good faith.