真剣

• Reading: しんけん
• Romaji: shinken
• Kanji breakdown: 真 (shin) — true, genuine; 剣 (ken) — sword
• Pronunciation: /ɕiɴ.keɴ/

Meaning

Serious; earnest; genuine. Describes wholehearted commitment or intensity.

A na-adjective often used adverbially with に (真剣に考える, to think seriously). Originally referred to a real sword (as opposed to a practice one), and this origin colours its modern meaning — doing something with the same intensity as a real sword fight.

Examples

1. 彼は真剣な顔で話し始めた。 He began speaking with a serious expression.
2. 将来のことを真剣に考える時期だ。 It's time to think seriously about the future.
3. 先生は学生に真剣に取り組むよう言った。 The teacher told the students to approach it with earnest effort.

Usage Guide

Context: discussion, study, work

Tone: intense

Origin & History

Compound of 真 (shin, true/genuine) and 剣 (ken, sword). Literally 'a real sword' — in kendo and martial arts, a 真剣 is an actual blade as opposed to a wooden practice sword (木剣). The figurative meaning of earnestness grew from this contrast.

Cultural Context

Era: Medieval

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal