偽善

• Reading: ぎぜん
• Romaji: gizen
• Kanji breakdown: 偽 (gi/nise) — false, fake, counterfeit; 善 (zen/yoshi) — good, virtue
• Pronunciation: /ɡi.zen/

Meaning

Hypocrisy; the practice of pretending to hold moral beliefs or virtues that one does not actually possess or follow.

A strong noun used to denounce moral inconsistency between declared values and actual behaviour. 偽善者 means 'hypocrite.' Frequently used in social criticism, political discourse, and literature to expose the gap between public morality and private conduct. Carries greater force than mere inconsistency — it implies a deliberate, self-serving performance of virtue for social gain or reputation.

Examples

1. 弱者への支援を声高に訴えながら私腹を肥やす政治家の行為は、まさに偽善と言うほかない。 The conduct of politicians who loudly champion support for the vulnerable while lining their own pockets can only be called hypocrisy.
2. 環境問題を訴えながら豪華な専用機で世界を飛び回る活動家への偽善批判は根強い。 Criticism of the hypocrisy of activists who advocate for environmental issues while flying around the world on lavish private jets remains persistent.
3. 彼の親切心が本物なのか偽善なのかを見分けるのは難しいが、長期的な行動が全てを語る。 It is difficult to tell whether his kindness is genuine or hypocritical, but long-term behaviour tells all.

Usage Guide

Context: ethics, politics, social criticism, literature

Tone: negative

Origin & History

From 偽 (false/fake) and 善 (good/virtue). A Confucian and Buddhist concept criticising the simulation of moral virtue for social or personal gain, used in classical Chinese texts and adopted into Japanese moral discourse.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal