Translation guide
The English word "merit" can refer to the inherent value, worth, or advantages of something, or to a praiseworthy quality or achievement. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for these concepts, from formal evaluations to everyday judgments.
Expressing the positive aspects, benefits, or strong points of something.
A common, neutral word for an advantage or merit. Suitable for both spoken and written contexts.
この計画の利点は何ですか？
What are the merits of this plan?
彼の提案にはいくつかの利点がある。
His proposal has several merits.
Refers to a strong point or merit, often used when comparing pros and cons or evaluating people/things.
この車の長所は燃費の良さだ。
The merit of this car is its good fuel efficiency.
彼の長所は誠実さです。
His merit is his sincerity.
A loanword from English, commonly used in business or casual contexts to mean advantage or benefit. Often contrasted with デメリット (demerit/disadvantage).
このシステムのメリットは何ですか？
What are the merits of this system?
Literally 'beautiful point', used for a virtue or admirable quality, often in literary or formal contexts.
彼の性格の美点は寛容さだ。
The merit of his character is his generosity.
Describing the inherent value or excellence of something, often in formal or evaluative contexts.
The most general word for value or worth. Can be used for both tangible and intangible merit.
この芸術作品の価値は計り知れない。
The merit of this artwork is immeasurable.
彼の研究は学術的に高い価値がある。
His research has high academic merit.
True worth or real merit, often used when something's value is not immediately obvious or is finally recognized.
Merit in the sense of achievement or contribution, often used for someone's accomplishments.
Referring to a morally good or admirable trait in a person.
A virtue or moral merit. Often used in ethical or philosophical discussions.
忍耐は美徳です。
Patience is a merit.
Virtue or moral goodness, often in a traditional or Confucian sense. Can be part of compounds.
彼は徳の高い人だ。
He is a person of high merit.
Expressing that someone or something merits a particular treatment, reward, or attention.
A formal pattern meaning 'to be worthy of' or 'to merit'. Used with nouns or verbs.
彼の努力は称賛に値する。
His efforts merit praise.
この本は一読に値する。
This book merits a read.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'it's no wonder' or 'it's not for nothing', implying that the merit is evident from the result.
彼が成功しただけのことはある。
His success is merited. / No wonder he succeeded.
An adjective meaning 'suitable' or 'worthy', often used to say someone merits a role or honor.
利点 is a neutral, slightly formal word for advantage or merit, often used in explanations. 長所 specifically refers to a strong point, often in contrast to 短所 (weak point). メリット is a casual loanword frequently used in business or everyday conversation, often paired with デメリット.
English often uses 'merit' as a verb (e.g., 'This merits attention'). In Japanese, use patterns like 〜に値する or adjectives like ふさわしい instead of trying to find a single verb equivalent.
その提案には利点と欠点の両方がある。
The proposal has both merits and demerits.
彼女は実力で昇進した。
She got the promotion on merit.
Here 'on merit' is naturally expressed as 実力で (based on ability/merit).
His true merit is revealed in difficult times.
彼は科学の発展に多大な功績を残した。
He left great merit in the development of science.
彼はその賞にふさわしい。
He merits that award.