質実剛健

• 読み: しつじつごうけん
• ローマ字: shitsujitsu gōken
• 漢字の分解: 質 (shitsu) — substance, quality; 実 (jitsu) — sincerity, plain; 剛 (gō) — strong, robust; 健 (ken) — healthy, vigorous
• 発音: /ɕi.tsɯ.dʑi.tsɯ.ɡoː.ke.ɴ/

意味

Simple and sturdy; plain yet strong; unpretentious strength. A four-character idiom describing a character that values sincerity and robust simplicity over ostentation.

A yojijukugo (四字熟語, four-character compound idiom). 質実 means plain and sincere — preferring substance over show; 剛健 means strong and vigorous in both body and spirit. Idealised in Meiji-era educational ethics and military culture, it remains a valued character trait in Japanese professional and educational contexts, particularly in schools with traditional ethos.

例文

1. 質実剛健の精神で育てられた彼は、派手さより誠実さを何より重んじた。
2. その組織は質実剛健をモットーに、長年にわたって地道な活動を続けてきた。
3. 質実剛健の気風が根付いたこの地域では、見栄や虚飾を徹底して嫌う文化がある。

使い方ガイド

場面: education, character ideals, military, traditional values

トーン: formal

起源と歴史

A yojijukugo of Chinese origin, adopted and promoted in Meiji-era Japan as an ethical ideal. 質実 (plain and sincere) contrasts with showiness and excess; 剛健 (strong and vigorous) emphasises robust physical and moral character. Promoted in Imperial-era educational ethics and still used in school mottos.

文化的背景

時代: Meiji

世代: Adults

社会的背景: Educated