信念

• Reading: しんねん
• Romaji: shinnen
• Kanji breakdown: 信 (shin) — trust, believe, faith; 念 (nen) — thought, feeling, sense
• Pronunciation: /ɕiɴ.neɴ/

Meaning

Belief; faith; conviction. A firmly held personal principle or belief that guides one's actions.

A noun referring to a deep personal conviction or principle, not necessarily religious. Differs from 信仰 (shinkou, religious faith) — 信念 is broader and applies to any strongly held belief, including political, ethical, or personal philosophies. Common collocations include 信念を貫く (shinnen wo tsuranuku, to stick to one's convictions), 信念を持つ (shinnen wo motsu, to hold a belief), and 固い信念 (katai shinnen, firm conviction).

Examples

1. 彼女は自分の信念を貫いて最後まで戦った。 She stood by her convictions and fought until the very end.
2. 強い信念を持つことが成功への第一歩だ。 Having strong convictions is the first step toward success.
3. 周囲の反対にもかかわらず、信念を曲げなかった。 Despite opposition from those around her, she never compromised her beliefs.

Usage Guide

Context: philosophy, motivation, personal values

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 信 (shin, trust/believe) + 念 (nen, thought/feeling). Literally 'a trusted thought' — a thought or idea held with unwavering trust.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal