Translation and Meaning of: 信用 - shinyou

If you are studying Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 信用[しんよう]. It appears in everyday conversations, in news, and even in animes, but what exactly does it mean? In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and usage of this word, as well as how it is perceived in Japanese culture. If you want to understand how to use it correctly or simply expand your vocabulary, keep reading!

The meaning and origin of 信用

The word 信用[しんよう] can be translated as "trust" or "credit." It is composed of two kanjis: 信 (which means "belief" or "faith") and 用 (which represents "use" or "utilization"). Together, these characters convey the idea of trusting in something or someone, whether in a personal, professional, or financial context.

Although there are no exact records of when 信用 began to be used in modern Japanese, its origin dates back to classical Chinese. The combination of these kanjis was already employed in ancient China to express concepts of mutual trust and credibility and was incorporated into Japanese with a similar meaning. Today, it is widely used in various contexts, from interpersonal relationships to business transactions.

How and when to use 信用 in everyday Japanese

信用 is a versatile word that appears in different situations. In the workplace, for example, it is common to hear phrases like "彼は上司の信用を得た" (He gained the trust of the boss). In financial contexts, it can be used to talk about credit, such as in "信用取引" (credit transactions).

It is worth noting that 信用 carries emotional and social weight in Japan. Japanese culture highly values mutual trust, and breaking that trust can have serious consequences, both personally and professionally. For this reason, it is common to see the word associated with values such as honesty and integrity, especially in corporate and educational speeches.

Tips for memorizing and curiosities about 信用

An effective way to memorize 信用 is to associate it with real situations. For example, think of someone you fully trust — that person has your 信用. Another tip is to remember that the kanji 信 also appears in other related words, such as 信頼[しんらい] (trust) and 信念[しんねん] (belief).

An interesting fact is that 信用 is often used in Japanese proverbs, such as "信用は一朝にして成らず" (Trust is not built in a day), highlighting that trust takes time to be earned. This type of expression reinforces how the concept is rooted in the Japanese mindset, where long-lasting and consistent relationships are highly valued.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 信頼 (Shinrai) - Trust, belief in someone's ability or character.
• 信用力 (Shinyōryoku) - Credit power, the ability to be reliable in transactions.
• 信任 (Shinin) - Trust, delegation of authority or responsibility to someone.
• 信用性 (Shinyōsei) - Reliability, the quality of being trustworthy or worthy of belief.
• 信用度 (Shinyōdo) - Credit level, the degree to which something is considered trustworthy.

信用

Romaji: shinyou
Kana: しんよう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: trust; dependency; credit; faith; trust; belief; credibility

Meaning in English: confidence;dependence;credit;faith;reliance;belief;credence

Definition: To confirm the reliability and value of others and things, is to trust them.

Example Sentences - (信用) shinyou

See below some example sentences:

商売は信用である。

Shoubai wa shin'you de aru

Business is based on trust.

Business is credit.

• 商売 (shoubai) - Business, Trade
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 信用 (shinyou) - trust, credit
• である (dearu) - to be, to be (formal form)

信用は大切なものです。

Shin'yō wa taisetsu na mono desu

Confidence is very important.

Credit is important.

• 信用 (shin'yō) - means "credit" or "trust".
• は (wa) - Grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 大切 (taisetsu) - adjective meaning "important" or "precious."
• な (na) - grammatical particle that is used to modify an adjective.
• もの (mono) - noun meaning "thing".
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in polite form.

あやふやな情報は信用できない。

Ayafuya na jōhō wa shin'yo dekinai

I cannot trust the information.

• あやふやな - adjective meaning "vague", "uncertain", "ambiguous".
• 情報 - noun meaning "information".
• は - Particle that marks the topic of the sentence.
• 信用 - noun meaning "trust", "credit".
• できない - verb in the negative form meaning "not being able to", "not being able to".

嘘つきは信用できない。

Usotsuki wa shin'you dekinai

You cannot trust a liar.

I can't trust a liar.

• 嘘つき - liar
• は - Topic particle
• 信用 - Confidence
• できない - It can't be done, it's not possible

滞納すると信用が落ちます。

Taino suru to shin'you ga ochimasu

If you are defaulting, you will lose your credit.

• 滞納する - delay payment
• と - particle that indicates a cause and effect relationship
• 信用 - credit, trust
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 落ちます - decrease, fall