美徳

• Reading: びとく
• Romaji: bitoku
• Kanji breakdown: 美 (bi/utsuku) — beautiful, admirable; 徳 (toku) — virtue, moral excellence
• Pronunciation: /bi.to.kɯ/

Meaning

Virtue; moral excellence; an admirable quality. A noble trait that is esteemed in a person's character.

A noun describing moral virtues — honesty, patience, diligence, and similar qualities. Often appears in philosophical, ethical, and literary contexts. 謙虚さは美徳だ (humility is a virtue) is a typical formulation. Can be used both sincerely and with mild irony, when virtues are seen as limiting or old-fashioned.

Examples

1. 辛抱強さは日本社会において長らく美徳とされてきた。 Patience has long been regarded as a virtue in Japanese society.
2. 彼女の誠実さと思いやりは誰もが認める美徳だ。 Her sincerity and compassion are virtues that everyone acknowledges.
3. 沈黙を美徳とする文化では、意見を言うことが難しいこともある。 In a culture that considers silence a virtue, expressing one's opinion can be difficult.

Usage Guide

Context: ethics, philosophy, culture, character

Tone: positive

Origin & History

From 美 (bi, beautiful/admirable) and 徳 (toku, virtue/moral excellence). The character 徳 has a long history in Confucian ethics, encompassing inner virtue and moral power. The compound entered Japanese through classical Chinese philosophical texts.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal