忠実な

• Reading: ちゅうじつな
• Romaji: chūjitsuna
• Kanji breakdown: 忠 (chū) — loyalty, devotion; 実 (jitsu) — truth, sincerity
• Pronunciation: /tɕɯ.ː.dʑi.tsɯ.na/

Meaning

Faithful; loyal; devoted; true. Describes unwavering dedication to a person, cause, principle, or original source.

A na-adjective from 忠実 (chūjitsu). Used both for interpersonal loyalty—loyalty to a master, employer, or friend—and for fidelity to an original text or intention (e.g., a faithful translation). The adverbial form 忠実に means 'faithfully' or 'accurately.' It carries a respectful connotation of principled commitment.

Examples

1. その犬は生涯にわたって主人に忠実で、ずっと傍らで過ごした。 The dog remained loyal to its owner throughout its life, always staying by his side.
2. 彼の翻訳は原文に忠実なあまり、日本語として読みにくい箇所があった。 His translation was so faithful to the original that some passages read awkwardly in Japanese.
3. 長年、上司の方針に忠実に従ってきたが、今回ばかりは反論した。 For years she had faithfully followed her superior's directives, but this time she pushed back.

Usage Guide

Context: relationships, translation, history, literary criticism

Tone: positive

Origin & History

Compound of 忠 (chū, loyalty, devotion) and 実 (jitsu, truth, sincerity). The pairing of loyalty with truthfulness expresses a deep, principled faithfulness that goes beyond mere compliance.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal