用心深い

• Reading: ようじんぶかい
• Romaji: youjinbukai
• Kanji breakdown: 用 (you) — use, employ; 心 (jin/shin) — heart, mind; 深 (buka/fuka) — deep
• Pronunciation: /joː.dʑiɴ.bɯ.kai/

Meaning

Careful; cautious; wary. Taking great care to avoid danger or mistakes.

An i-adjective describing someone who is habitually cautious and vigilant. Formed from 用心 (youjin, caution/vigilance) + 深い (bukai/fukai, deep). Implies a deep-rooted, personality-level cautiousness rather than situational carefulness. Can be positive (prudent) or slightly negative (overly wary). Common patterns: 用心深い人 (cautious person), 用心深く行動する (act carefully).

Examples

1. 彼女は用心深い性格で、必ず下調べをしてから行動する。 She has a cautious personality and always does her research before acting.
2. 用心深く周囲を確認してからドアを開けた。 He carefully checked his surroundings before opening the door.
3. あの投資家は用心深いことで知られている。 That investor is known for being extremely cautious.

Usage Guide

Context: personality, daily life, business

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 用心 (youjin, caution — literally 'use the heart/mind') + 深い (fukai, deep). Together: 'deep in caution' — someone whose wariness runs to their core.

Cultural Context

Era: Early Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal