善

• Reading: ぜん
• Romaji: zen
• Kanji breakdown: 善 (zen) — good, virtue, goodness
• Pronunciation: /ze.n/

Meaning

Good; virtue; goodness. The moral concept of what is right and just.

A noun representing moral goodness, often contrasted with 悪 (aku, evil). Appears in many compounds like 善意 (zen'i, goodwill), 善悪 (zen'aku, good and evil), and 改善 (kaizen, improvement). Frequently used in philosophical, ethical, and religious discussions.

Examples

1. 善と悪の区別は難しいこともある。 Distinguishing between good and evil can sometimes be difficult.
2. 彼女の行動は善意から出たものだった。 Her actions came from a place of goodwill.
3. 善を行うことが大切だと先生は言った。 The teacher said that doing good is what matters most.

Usage Guide

Context: philosophy, ethics, literature

Tone: serious

Origin & History

The kanji 善 combines 羊 (sheep, symbol of gentleness) atop 言 variants, suggesting gentle speech and virtuous conduct. In Chinese philosophy, it represents innate human goodness.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal