Meaning
真 is the standard character for representing truth, sincerity, and physical reality. It describes things that are genuine, untainted, or at their absolute peak. You will encounter this kanji everywhere, from everyday items like photographs to abstract concepts like universal truth. It is taught to Japanese 3rd graders and is essential for the JLPT N4 level.
The character's structure hints at its meaning. It combines the 'eye' radical (目) with a pedestal or tool. This suggests an eye looking straight and clearly at the foundation of something to see its real nature. While the traditional form (眞) was more complex, the modern shinjitai version uses ten strokes and is categorized under the eye radical.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — シン (shin)
The reading シン appears in formal and technical compounds. Use this reading when discussing facts, beliefs, or capturing reality through art and technology.
- 写真 (shashin) — photograph (literally: 'copying reality')
- 真実 (shinjitsu) — truth, reality
- 真剣 (shinken) — serious, earnest (literally: 'real sword')
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — ま (ma) / まこと (makoto)
The reading ま is incredibly common as a prefix. It emphasizes that a quality is pure or a position is exact. The reading まこと refers to sincerity or honesty as a noun.
- 真ん中 (mannaka) — right in the middle, center
- 真っ赤 (makka) — bright red, deep red
- 真っ白 (masshiro) — pure white, blank
- 真 (makoto) — truth, sincerity
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 真 is highly versatile. It appears in spatial terms, descriptions of color, and character traits.
Visuals and Spatial Terms
真っ暗 (makkura) — pitch dark. Indicates a total absence of light, such as a room with no windows.
真正面 (mashoumen) — directly in front. Used when you are looking someone right in the eye.
真っ直ぐ (massugu) — straight ahead. This can describe a physical road or a person's honest personality.
Personality and Truth
真面目 (majime) — serious, diligent. This is the standard word for a hardworking student or employee.
真理 (shinri) — truth or providence. This is used in scientific or philosophical contexts, like "universal truth.""
真偽 (shingi) — authenticity. Used when checking if an artwork or document is a fake or a genuine piece.
Example Sentences
公園の真ん中に大きな木があります。
kouen no mannaka ni ookina ki ga arimasu.
There is a large tree right in the middle of the park.
スマホで写真を撮りました。
sumaho de shashin o torimashita.
I took a photo with my smartphone.
彼はとても真面目な人です。
kare wa totemo majime na hito desu.
He is a very serious and hardworking person.
この道を真っ直ぐいってください。
kono michi o massugu itte kudasai.
Please go straight down this road.
驚いて、顔が真っ青になりました。
odoroite, kao ga massao ni narimashita.
I was so shocked that my face turned pale (literally 'pure blue').
真夜中に電話が鳴りました。
mayonaka ni denwa ga narimashita.
The phone rang in the middle of the night.
君の言うことは真逆だよ。
kimi no iu koto wa magyaku da yo.
What you are saying is the exact opposite.
Related Kanji
- 黒 — Black, Dark (Kanji N4)
- 走 — Run, Move fast (Kanji N4)
- 思 — To Think, Feel, Imagine (Kanji N4)
- 音 — Sound, Noise, Tone (Kanji N4)
- 界 — World, Boundary, Circle (Kanji N4)
- 私 — Private, I, Me (Kanji N4)
Memory Tip
Think of the kanji as a specialized tool for inspection. At the top is a lens (匕), in the middle is an eye (目), and at the bottom is a sturdy stand. Imagine looking through the lens and eye at an object on the stand to see if it is true or a fake. If you can see all the way to the solid base, you've found the truth.