誠 means “sincerity, truth”

まこと · makoto

Also: admonish, warn, prohibit

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

まこと

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

セイ

JLPT N1 · Taught in grade 6 · 13 strokes

The story

Words (言) carried through to completion (成): saying it and then doing it. 誠 is sincerity, the single kanji on the Shinsengumi's banner, and 誠に申し訳ございません is the formal apology heard when a train runs late.

Used in 誠実 (seijitsu, sincere/honest), 誠意 (seii, good faith), and 誠に (makoto ni, truly/sincerely)

More from Loyalty & Duty

• 倫 ethics
• 仁 benevolence
• 貞 chastity
• 慈 mercy
• 衷 innermost feelings
• 義 righteousness
• 善 good
• 孝 filial piety
• 徳 virtue
• 忠 loyalty

Learn 誠 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.