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How to say 'Serious' or 'Earnest' in Japanese | 真面目

Wondering how to say 'Serious' or 'Earnest' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for Serious or Earnest is 'Majime', written as 真面目 in Japanese.'Serious' or 'Earnest' in hiragana is まじめ.

    word

    真面目

    Meaning

    Serious, Earnest

    Reading

    まじめ

    majime

    Kanji

    真Truth 面Face, Surface 目Eye

    Explanation

    The Japanese adjectival noun '真面目 (まじめ)' primarily means 'serious' or 'earnest'. It is used to describe someone who is diligent, hardworking, or sincere in their actions or attitude. This word often carries a positive connotation, implying reliability and responsibility. However, it can also imply being overly serious or lacking a sense of humor in certain contexts. Example sentences: He is a serious student「彼は真面目な学生です」(かれはまじめながくせいです). She is earnest about her work「彼女は仕事に真面目です」(かのじょはしごとにまじめです). Note that '真面目' can also describe objects or situations that are genuine or authentic, though this usage is less common.

    Part Of Speech

    adjectival noun

    Kanji JLPT

    N3

    Kanji Grade

    3

    Frequency

    2926

    Composition

    kanji

    Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 真面目

This word contains 3 kanji characters:

  • kanji

    真

    Meaning

    Truth

  • kanji

    面

    Meaning

    Face, Surface

  • kanji

    目

    Meaning

    Eye

Words Related to 真面目 Through the Kanji 真

These 22 Words contain the Kanji 真 as well.

  • word

    写真

    Meaning

    Photo

  • word

    真

    Meaning

    True

  • word

    真っ白

    Meaning

    Pure white

  • word

    真っ暗

    Meaning

    Pitch dark

  • word

    真っ黒

    Meaning

    Pitch black

  • word

    真っ青

    Meaning

    Pale, Deep blue

  • word

    真っ直ぐ

    Meaning

    Straight

  • word

    真実

    Meaning

    Truth

  • word

    真相

    Meaning

    Truth

  • word

    真ん中

    Meaning

    Middle

  • word

    真似

    Meaning

    Imitation

  • word

    真理

    Meaning

    Truth

  • word

    真剣

    Meaning

    Serious

  • word

    真珠

    Meaning

    Pearl

  • word

    真っ赤

    Meaning

    Bright red

  • word

    真っ先

    Meaning

    Forefront

  • word

    真夏

    Meaning

    Midsummer

  • word

    真夜中

    Meaning

    Midnight

  • word

    真っ最中

    Meaning

    Midst

  • word

    真心

    Meaning

    Sincerity

  • word

    真四角

    Meaning

    Square

  • word

    真ん丸

    Meaning

    Perfectly round

Words Related to 真面目 Through the Kanji 面

These 28 Words contain the Kanji 面 as well.

  • word

    面

    Meaning

    Face, Surface

  • word

    面白い

    Meaning

    Interesting, Funny

  • word

    洗面所

    Meaning

    Washroom

  • word

    正面

    Meaning

    Front

  • word

    画面

    Meaning

    Screen

  • word

    場面

    Meaning

    Scene

  • word

    表面

    Meaning

    Surface

  • word

    側面

    Meaning

    Side, Aspect

  • word

    方面

    Meaning

    Direction, Field

  • word

    地面

    Meaning

    Ground

  • word

    面積

    Meaning

    Area

  • word

    一面

    Meaning

    Whole area

  • word

    全面

    Meaning

    Entirety

  • word

    内面

    Meaning

    Inside, Inner

  • word

    対面

    Meaning

    Face to face

  • word

    面する

    Meaning

    Face

  • word

    直面

    Meaning

    Confrontation

  • word

    半面

    Meaning

    Aspect

  • word

    面接

    Meaning

    Interview

  • word

    全面的

    Meaning

    Comprehensive

  • word

    平面

    Meaning

    Plane

  • word

    洗面

    Meaning

    Washing

  • word

    洗面器

    Meaning

    Washbasin

  • word

    両面

    Meaning

    Both sides

  • word

    水面

    Meaning

    Water surface

  • word

    斜面

    Meaning

    Slope

  • word

    面倒

    Meaning

    Trouble, Bother

  • word

    面倒臭い

    Meaning

    Troublesome

Words Related to 真面目 Through the Kanji 目

These 28 Words contain the Kanji 目 as well.

  • word

    目

    Meaning

    Eye, Sight

  • word

    駄目

    Meaning

    Useless, No

  • word

    目的

    Meaning

    Purpose, Goal

  • word

    目覚まし時計

    Meaning

    Alarm clock

  • word

    目標

    Meaning

    Goal

  • word

    目指す

    Meaning

    Aim

  • word

    注目

    Meaning

    Attention

  • word

    目立つ

    Meaning

    Standout

  • word

    項目

    Meaning

    Item

  • word

    種目

    Meaning

    Event

  • word

    効き目

    Meaning

    Effect

  • word

    お目に掛かる

    Meaning

    Meet

  • word

    目上

    Meaning

    Superior

  • word

    目方

    Meaning

    Weight

  • word

    目下

    Meaning

    Subordinate

  • word

    目覚ましい

    Meaning

    Remarkable

  • word

    目覚まし

    Meaning

    Alarm

  • word

    役目

    Meaning

    Duty, Role

  • word

    一目

    Meaning

    Glance, First move

  • word

    丁目

    Meaning

    District

  • word

    目撃

    Meaning

    Witness

  • word

    目覚める

    Meaning

    Awaken

  • word

    目次

    Meaning

    Index, Table of contents

  • word

    目薬

    Meaning

    Eye drops

  • word

    目的地

    Meaning

    Destination

  • word

    科目

    Meaning

    Subject

  • word

    目印

    Meaning

    Mark, Sign

  • word

    目茶苦茶

    Meaning

    Chaotic, Absurd

Learn the Word 真面目

Let's make sure you fully understand this word.

What does 'Majime' (真面目) mean?

'Majime' means 'Serious' or 'Earnest' .

To help you master this word, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.