真っ当

• Reading: まっとう
• Romaji: mattou
• Kanji breakdown: 真 (shin/ma) — true, genuine; 当 (tō/a) — hit, correct, appropriate
• Pronunciation: /ma.t.to̞ː/

Meaning

Proper; decent; honest; straight. Describes behaviour, methods, or people that are legitimate, upright, and socially acceptable.

A na-adjective implying that something conforms to social norms and moral expectations. 真っ当な仕事 means legitimate, respectable work as opposed to shady dealings. 真っ当な人間 means a decent, upstanding person. Often used in contexts contrasting with dishonest, criminal, or irresponsible behaviour.

Examples

1. 苦労したけれど、今は真っ当な仕事について安定した生活を送っている。 It was hard going, but now I have a decent job and lead a stable life.
2. 彼の意見は至って真っ当で、反論する余地がなかった。 His opinion was entirely reasonable, and there was no room to argue against it.
3. 真っ当な方法で結果を出すことが、長い目で見れば一番の近道だ。 Getting results through legitimate means is, in the long run, the shortest path.

Usage Guide

Context: ethics, work, character, daily life

Tone: approving

Origin & History

Derived from 真 (ma — true, genuine) + 当 (tō — proper, fitting). The まっ intensifier (geminate form of 真) emphasises full conformity with what is proper or correct.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: General