Translation guide
Expresses the idea of a morally upright or excellent person, often with Confucian or literary overtones. In modern Japanese, this is not a single common word; the best choice depends on context, gender, and the specific nuance of virtue.
To refer to a person of high moral character in everyday or modern contexts.
A person of fine character; someone with integrity and moral worth. Gender-neutral and commonly used.
彼は本当に人格者だ。
He is truly a man of virtue.
Literally 'a person of high virtue'. A straightforward descriptive phrase.
徳の高い人として尊敬されている。
He is respected as a man of virtue.
A formal, somewhat literary term for a virtuous person. Rare in conversation.
有徳者は常に謙虚である。
A man of virtue is always humble.
To evoke the Confucian ideal of a cultivated, morally superior man, often in literary or historical contexts.
The classic Confucian 'gentleman' or 'superior man', embodying virtue, learning, and propriety. Still used in proverbs and formal writing.
君子は義にさとく、小人は利にさとい。
The man of virtue is keen on righteousness; the petty man is keen on profit.
A sage or saint; a person of perfect virtue and wisdom. Often used in religious or philosophical contexts.
A wise and virtuous person; often used in historical or literary descriptions.
To stress the male gender along with virtue, often in a traditional or heroic sense.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'a man of virtue' or 'a man with virtue'.
彼は徳のある男だ。
He is a man of virtue.
An archaic or highly formal term for a man of high virtue. Rarely used outside historical texts.
高徳の士を国が求めた。
The country sought men of virtue.
Directly translating 'man of virtue' as 徳の男 (とくのおとこ) is unnatural. Use established phrases like 人格者 or 徳の高い人.
人格者 and 徳の高い人 are gender-neutral and can refer to any person of virtue. Use 徳のある男 only when you specifically want to emphasize the person is male.
孔子は聖人と仰がれている。
Confucius is revered as a man of virtue.
賢人は多くを語らず。
A man of virtue does not speak much.