信用

• Reading: しんよう
• Romaji: shin'you
• Kanji breakdown: 信 (shin) — to believe, trust; 用 (you) — to use, employ
• Pronunciation: /ɕiɴ.joː/

Meaning

Trust; confidence; credit. Believing in someone's reliability or honesty.

A suru-verb (信用する) used to express trusting or having confidence in someone or something. Takes a direct object with を. Unlike 信頼 which emphasizes reliance, 信用 focuses on believing someone is honest and reliable. Also used in finance for 'credit.'

Examples

1. あの人は約束を守るから信用できる。 He keeps his promises, so you can trust him.
2. 一度嘘をつくと信用を失ってしまう。 Once you tell a lie, you lose people's trust.
3. 銀行から信用を得るには実績が必要だ。 You need a track record to earn the bank's trust.

Usage Guide

Context: relationships, business, finance

Tone: serious

Origin & History

Compound of 信 (shin, to believe/trust) and 用 (you, to use/employ). The combination suggests belief that can be relied upon in practical dealings.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal