信じる
信じる in 30 Seconds
- Shinjiru means to believe or trust.
- It is an Ichidan (Group 2) verb.
- It is used for facts, people, and spiritual faith.
- Commonly used as 'shinjite iru' for a state of belief.
The Japanese verb 信じる (shinjiru) is a fundamental pillar of Japanese emotional and cognitive expression. At its core, it translates to 'to believe' or 'to trust.' However, its usage spans a wide spectrum of human experience, from the simple acceptance of a fact to the profound act of placing one's faith in another person or a spiritual entity. In the Japanese linguistic landscape, shinjiru is more than just a mental state; it is often an active choice to rely on something or someone despite uncertainty. This verb is classified as an Ichidan (Group 2) verb, making its conjugation relatively straightforward for learners, yet its nuances require careful study to master.
- Cognitive Belief
- This refers to accepting information as true. For example, believing that a story is real or that an event actually occurred. It is the 'I believe it happened' sense of the word.
- Interpersonal Trust
- This is the act of putting faith in someone's character. When you say you believe in a friend, you are using shinjiru to express a deep-seated trust in their integrity or abilities.
- Spiritual/Existential Faith
- This covers belief in God, ghosts, or the power of dreams. It represents a conviction in things that cannot be physically proven.
君の言葉を信じるよ。
(Kimi no kotoba o shinjiru yo.)
I believe your words.
Socially, shinjiru carries significant weight. In Japanese culture, where harmony (Wa) and mutual reliance are valued, the act of 'believing' is often tied to the strength of a relationship. To stop believing in someone (信じられなくなる) is a major turning point in a social bond. It is frequently used in anime and drama to emphasize loyalty and the 'power of friendship.' Whether a protagonist is shouting about believing in their friends or a detective is deciding whether to believe a suspect's alibi, the word is ubiquitous in narrative media. It serves as a bridge between the internal mind and external social reality.
自分を信じて進んでください。
(Jibun o shinjite susunde kudasai.)
Please believe in yourself and move forward.
Furthermore, shinjiru is often used in the potential form (信じられる - can believe) or the negative potential (信じられない - cannot believe). The latter is an extremely common exclamation, similar to 'Unbelievable!' or 'I can't believe it!' in English, used when someone is shocked by news or an unexpected event. It is also important to note that shinjiru is the modern form of the classical shinzuru, and while both exist in some contexts, shinjiru is the standard for modern daily communication. Understanding this word is key to understanding the Japanese concept of conviction and the emotional ties that bind people together.
Using 信じる (shinjiru) correctly involves understanding its conjugation and its relationship with particles. As an Ichidan verb, its transformations are predictable. The dictionary form is shinjiru, the polite form is shinjimasu, and the negative form is shinjinai. Because it describes a state of mind, it is very frequently used in the continuous form: 信じている (shinjite iru), meaning 'I am (currently) believing' or 'I hold the belief that...'
- Direct Object (を)
- Used when believing a specific thing, story, or person as an object. Example: ニュースを信じる (Believe the news).
- Target of Trust (に)
- Often used when placing faith in something. Example: 神を信じる (Believe in God) or 未来を信じる (Believe in the future).
私は彼の成功を信じています。
(Watashi wa kare no seikou o shinjite imasu.)
I believe in his success (I am certain he will succeed).
When constructing sentences, pay attention to the level of certainty. If you want to say you 'think' something is true but aren't entirely sure, you might use omou (思う) instead. Shinjiru implies a much stronger conviction. For instance, if you say 'I believe it will rain,' using shinjiru would sound very strange—as if you have a spiritual conviction about the weather. Instead, you would use omou. Shinjiru is reserved for matters of truth, trust, and faith.
幽霊を信じますか?
(Yuurei o shinjimasu ka?)
Do you believe in ghosts?
In formal settings, you might encounter the humble or honorific forms, though they are less common for this specific verb than others. More often, formal speech simply uses the -masu form. In written Japanese, particularly in literature or academic texts, the classical form shinzuru (信ずる) might appear, but as a learner, focusing on shinjiru is the most practical path. Remember that in Japanese, the subject 'I' (watashi wa) is often omitted if it's clear from context, so '信じてるよ' (Shinjiteru yo) is a very common way to tell a friend 'I believe in you.'
The word 信じる (shinjiru) is a staple of Japanese media and daily life. If you watch anime, you will hear it in almost every episode, especially during climactic battles or emotional reconciliations. It is the word used for the 'power of belief' that allows characters to overcome impossible odds. It often appears in phrases like '仲間を信じる' (nakama o shinjiru - believing in one's comrades), which is a core theme in many Shonen series.
In the world of Japanese music (J-Pop), shinjiru is a favorite keyword for lyricists. It appears in countless choruses about believing in love, believing in the future, or believing in oneself. The phonetic flow of 'shin-ji-ru' makes it easy to fit into melodic lines, and its emotional resonance strikes a chord with listeners. Phrases like '信じる道をゆけ' (shinjiru michi o yuke - follow the path you believe in) are common motivational tropes in song lyrics.
あきらめないで、自分を信じて!
(Akiramenaide, jibun o shinjite!)
Don't give up, believe in yourself! (Common motivational phrase)
In daily conversation, you'll hear it used to confirm trust. If a friend tells you a wild story, you might ask, 'それ、本当に信じてるの?' (Sore, hontou ni shinjiteru no? - Do you really believe that?). Or, when offering support, you might say '私はあなたを信じています' (Watashi wa anata o shinjite imasu) to show that you trust their judgment or ability to succeed. It's also frequently used in news reporting when discussing public trust in the government or the reliability of evidence.
In professional contexts, the word might be replaced by more formal versions like shinyou suru (信用する - to give credit/trust) or shinrai suru (信頼する - to rely on/have confidence in), but shinjiru remains the most versatile and emotionally charged option. Whether it's a child asking if Santa is real or a CEO expressing faith in a new project, shinjiru is the linguistic thread that connects the concept of truth with the human heart.
For English speakers, the most common mistake when using 信じる (shinjiru) is overusing it where 思う (omou - to think) would be more appropriate. In English, we often say 'I believe it's going to be cold today' or 'I believe he's already left.' In these cases, we are expressing a guess or an opinion, not a deep-seated conviction. In Japanese, using shinjiru here would sound overly dramatic or even religious. You should use omou for opinions and guesses.
- Mistake: Over-dramatization
- Using shinjiru for mundane facts. Don't say 'I believe the bus is coming.' Use omou.
- Mistake: Particle Confusion
- Confusing 'o' and 'ni'. While often interchangeable, 'ni' is better for 'trusting in' a person's essence, while 'o' is better for 'believing' their words.
❌ 明日は晴れると信じます。
✅ 明日は晴れると思います。
(Unless you are praying for sun, use 'omou'.)
Another mistake involves the potential form. Beginners often say shinjinai (don't believe) when they actually mean shinjirarenai (can't believe). If you are shocked by a piece of news, shinjinai sounds like you are making a conscious choice to reject the truth, whereas shinjirarenai expresses the feeling of being unable to process the shock. The difference is subtle but important for sounding natural.
Lastly, learners sometimes forget that shinjiru is an Ichidan verb. They might try to conjugate it as shinjira-nai (like a Godan verb) instead of the correct shinjinai. Always remember the 'ru' drops off and is replaced directly by the suffix. Keeping these distinctions in mind will help you communicate your level of conviction accurately and avoid sounding unintentionally intense or grammatically incorrect.
While 信じる (shinjiru) is the most general word for 'believe,' Japanese has several other terms that specify the *type* of belief or trust. Choosing the right one depends on whether you are talking about business, personal relationships, or abstract concepts.
- 信用する (Shinyou suru)
- This focuses on 'credit' or 'reliability' based on past performance. It's used in business (credit cards are shinyou kaado) and for trusting someone's words based on evidence. It is more objective than shinjiru.
- 信頼する (Shinrai suru)
- This means 'to rely on' or 'to have confidence in.' It's often used for deep, mutual trust in relationships or trusting a professional's skill. If shinyou is about the past, shinrai is about the future—trusting that someone will do the right thing.
- 確信する (Kakushin suru)
- To be 'convinced' or 'certain.' This is a higher level of belief where there is no doubt left. It's more formal and stronger than shinjiru.
- 信仰する (Shinkou suru)
- Specifically used for religious faith. You wouldn't use this to 'believe' a friend, only to 'practice a faith' or 'believe in a deity' in a formal religious sense.
彼は信頼できるリーダーです。
(Kare wa shinrai dekiru riidaa desu.)
He is a leader who can be trusted/relied upon.
When comparing shinjiru to shinyou, remember that shinjiru is more emotional and subjective. You can shinjiru someone even if they have no track record, simply because your heart tells you to. Shinyou, however, usually requires proof or a history of honesty. In a romantic context, shinjiru is much more common because it emphasizes the emotional bond. In a bank, shinyou is the only word that matters. Understanding these distinctions allows you to navigate the complexities of Japanese social and professional life with much greater precision.
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
In ancient times, '信' was often used to mean a 'messenger' or 'news' because a messenger's most important trait was being trustworthy.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'ru' like the English 'r' in 'red'.
- Over-emphasizing the 'n' sound.
- Incorrect pitch accent (dropping the pitch too early).
- Confusing 'ji' with 'zi'.
- Failing to make the 'i' in 'shi' short.
Difficulty Rating
The Kanji is common but simple to recognize.
Writing '信' requires careful stroke order.
Conjugation is easy as an Ichidan verb.
Very common word, easy to pick out.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Ichidan Verb Conjugation
信じる -> 信じない, 信じます, 信じて
Potential Form (~られる)
信じられる (Can believe)
Te-iru for State
信じている (State of belief)
Noun Clause with 'Koto'
信じることは大切だ (Believing is important)
Causative Form (~させる)
信じさせる (Make someone believe)
Examples by Level
私はあなたを信じます。
I believe you.
Simple polite form (shinjimasu).
彼はその話を信じませんでした。
He did not believe that story.
Negative polite past form (shinjimasen deshita).
幽霊を信じますか?
Do you believe in ghosts?
Question form with 'ka'.
サンタさんを信じています。
I believe in Santa.
Continuous form (shinjite imasu).
うそを信じないでください。
Please don't believe lies.
Negative request form (nai de kudasai).
友達を信じます。
I believe my friend.
Direct object with particle 'o'.
本当だと信じます。
I believe it is true.
Using 'to' to indicate the content of belief.
信じて!
Believe me!
Imperative 'te' form (informal).
信じられないニュースですね。
That's unbelievable news, isn't it?
Potential negative form used as an adjective.
自分の力を信じてください。
Please believe in your own power.
Request form with 'te kudasai'.
あしたは晴れると信じています。
I believe it will be sunny tomorrow.
Expressing a strong hope as a belief.
彼は私のことを信じてくれています。
He believes in me (as a favor/kindness).
Using 'te kureru' for actions done for the speaker.
もう誰も信じることができません。
I can't believe anyone anymore.
Potential construction (koto ga dekiru).
魔法を信じている子供は多いです。
There are many children who believe in magic.
Noun modification (shinjite iru kodomo).
あなたの言葉を信じてもいいですか?
Is it okay if I believe your words?
Asking for permission with 'te mo ii desu ka'.
変な話を信じてしまいました。
I ended up believing a strange story (unintentionally).
Regretful completion with 'te shimau'.
何があっても、あなたを信じ続けるつもりです。
No matter what happens, I intend to keep believing in you.
Compound verb 'shinjitsuzukeru' (keep believing).
彼を信じたことが間違いだったのかもしれない。
It might have been a mistake to have believed him.
Past tense noun clause with 'koto'.
信じれば夢はかなうと言われています。
It is said that if you believe, your dreams will come true.
Conditional 'ba' form.
科学的な根拠がないと、なかなか信じられません。
If there's no scientific evidence, it's hard to believe.
Conditional 'to' and potential negative.
彼女は自分を信じることで、困難を乗り越えた。
By believing in herself, she overcame the difficulties.
Using 'de' to show means/method.
信じていた人に裏切られるのは辛い。
It is painful to be betrayed by someone you believed in.
Passive voice 'uragirareru'.
その情報は信じるに値するものです。
That information is something worth believing.
The grammar 'ni atai suru' (worth doing).
直感を信じて決断しました。
I trusted my intuition and made a decision.
Using 'te' to connect actions.
一度失った信頼を再び信じてもらうのは難しい。
It is difficult to have someone believe in you again once trust is lost.
Causative-receptive 'shinjite morau'.
政府の言うことをそのまま信じるわけにはいかない。
I cannot simply believe what the government says.
Grammar 'wake ni wa ikanai' (cannot afford to/must not).
彼は絶対にうそをつかないと信じ切っている。
I completely believe that he would never lie.
Suffix '-kiru' for completeness.
宗教を信じる自由は憲法で保障されている。
The freedom to believe in a religion is guaranteed by the constitution.
Formal noun modification.
目に見えるものだけを信じるのは危険だ。
It is dangerous to believe only what you can see.
Limiting particle 'dake'.
彼の無実を信じて疑わない人々が集まった。
People who believed in his innocence without doubt gathered.
Phrase 'shinjite utagawanai' (to believe without doubt).
奇跡を信じずにはいられない状況だった。
It was a situation where one couldn't help but believe in miracles.
Double negative 'zu ni wa irarenai'.
信じるか信じないかは、あなた次第です。
Whether you believe it or not is up to you.
A-ka-B-ka construction.
盲目的に信じることは、思考停止に等しい。
Believing blindly is equivalent to a cessation of thought.
Formal comparison 'ni hitoshii'.
彼は己の信念を貫き、最後まで信じる道を歩んだ。
He stuck to his convictions and walked the path he believed in until the end.
High-level vocabulary like 'tsuranuku' (to carry through).
証言の信憑性を信じるに足る証拠が提示された。
Evidence sufficient to believe the credibility of the testimony was presented.
Grammar 'ni taru' (sufficient to).
信じがたい事実を前にして、人々は沈黙した。
Faced with an unbelievable fact, the people fell silent.
Suffix '-gatai' (difficult to).
何を信じるべきか見失い、彼は深い苦悩に陥った。
Having lost sight of what he should believe, he fell into deep anguish.
Auxiliary '-beki' (should).
科学の進歩が、かつて信じられていた常識を覆した。
Scientific progress overturned common sense that was once believed.
Passive past 'shinjirarete ita'.
信じる心が奇跡を呼ぶというテーマは、普遍的である。
The theme that a believing heart calls forth miracles is universal.
Appositive clause with 'to iu'.
たとえ世界中が敵になっても、私は自分を信じ抜く。
Even if the whole world becomes my enemy, I will believe in myself to the end.
Suffix '-nuku' (to do thoroughly/to the end).
不条理な現実に抗い、なおも人間性を信じようとする試み。
An attempt to resist an absurd reality and still try to believe in humanity.
Volitional form 'shinjiyou' with 'suru'.
信ずる者は救われるという教義が、彼の心の拠り所だった。
The doctrine that those who believe will be saved was his emotional support.
Classical form 'shinzuru' used in religious context.
情報の真偽を精査せず、安易に信じ込む危うさを指摘する。
Pointing out the danger of easily believing something without scrutinizing its truth.
Compound verb 'shinjikomu' (to believe firmly/be deluded into).
客観的事実と主観的信念の狭間で、何を信じるかが問われている。
Between objective facts and subjective beliefs, what one believes is being questioned.
Formal passive 'towarete iru'.
虚構の中に真実を見出し、それを信じ抜くのが芸術の真髄だ。
Finding truth within fiction and believing in it to the end is the essence of art.
Noun modification with 'no ga'.
信じるという行為の根底には、常に他者への祈りが込められている。
At the root of the act of believing, there is always a prayer for others.
Abstract nominalization.
彼は自らの直感を盲信し、破滅への道を突き進んだ。
He blindly believed his own intuition and rushed headlong toward ruin.
Noun 'moushin' (blind belief) as a verb.
信じがたきを信じることが、信仰の極致とされる。
Believing the unbelievable is considered the height of faith.
Classical attributive form '-ki' (shinjigataki).
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— Unbelievable! Used for shock or surprise.
信じられない!宝くじに当たった!
— I believe in you / I trust you.
頑張ってね、信じてるよ。
— Hard to believe (more formal).
それは信じがたい事実だ。
— Those who believe shall be saved (proverb).
信じる者は救われると言うけれど...
— To firmly believe (often used when being tricked).
詐欺師の話を信じ込んでしまった。
— To believe without a shadow of a doubt.
彼は成功を信じて疑わない。
— Worthy of belief / Credible.
これは信じるに足る証拠です。
— The path one believes in / One's convictions.
自分の信じる道を進みなさい。
— To believe completely.
相手を信じ切ることが大切だ。
— To believe again (after doubting).
もう一度、彼を信じ直してみる。
Idioms & Expressions
— Religious origin; implies that faith brings rewards.
信じる者は救われるという言葉を信じたい。
Proverb— If a lie is told a hundred times, people will believe it's true.
嘘も百回言えば...というが、恐ろしいことだ。
Common Saying— To place one's trust in someone.
彼は部下に厚い信を置いている。
Formal— Innocent until proven guilty (Believe the doubt).
法廷では疑わしきは罰せずが原則だ。
Legal— To feign innocence (making others believe you are nice).
彼女は彼の前では猫を被っている。
Idiomatic— To swallow whole / Believe without questioning.
ニュースを鵜呑みにしてはいけない。
Common— The scales fall from one's eyes (to suddenly see/believe the truth).
彼の説明を聞いて、目から鱗が落ちた。
Idiomatic— To turn one's hand (to suddenly stop believing/supporting someone).
事件の後、世間は掌を返したように彼を叩いた。
Idiomatic— To seek a vote of confidence.
首相は解散して国民に信を問うた。
PoliticalWord Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Shin' (shin) guard. You 'believe' it will protect your 'ji' (knee) as you 'ru' (run).
Visual Association
Imagine a person standing next to a giant speech bubble (言) representing their word, showing they are 'shinjiru' (trustworthy).
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use 'shinjiru' in three different ways today: once for a fact, once for a person, and once as an exclamation (shinjirarenai!).
Word Origin
Derived from the Kanji '信' (shin), which combines '人' (person) and '言' (word). It literally represents a person standing by their word.
Original meaning: Faithfulness, sincerity, or truthfulness in one's words.
Sino-Japanese (Kango root with Japanese verbalization).Cultural Context
Be careful when discussing religious 'shinjiru' as it can be a private matter in Japan.
In English, 'I believe' is often used weakly as 'I think.' In Japanese, 'shinjiru' is much stronger.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Daily Conversation
- 本当?信じられない!
- 私のこと信じてる?
- 彼の言うことは信じないほうがいい。
- 自分を信じて。
Business
- そのデータを信じてもいいですか?
- 取引先を信用する。
- プロジェクトの成功を信じています。
- 信頼関係を築く。
Romance
- 君を信じてるよ。
- 信じて待ってる。
- 二人の愛を信じたい。
- もう信じられない。
Religion/Spirituality
- 神を信じますか?
- 奇跡を信じる。
- 来世を信じる。
- 自分の運命を信じる。
News/Media
- 目撃者の証言を信じる。
- 政府の発表を信じる国民。
- 信じがたいニュースが入りました。
- 情報の真偽を信じる。
Conversation Starters
"あなたは幽霊を信じますか?"
"今までで一番信じられなかったニュースは何ですか?"
"他人の言葉をすぐに信じるタイプですか?"
"自分を信じるために、何をしていますか?"
"占いの結果を信じますか?"
Journal Prompts
今日、誰かを信じて良かったと思ったことはありますか?
あなたが絶対に信じている『信念』について書いてください。
もし、大切な人に信じてもらえなかったら、どうしますか?
『信じる』と『疑う』、どちらの方が難しいと思いますか?
最近あった『信じられない』出来事について書いてください。
Summary
Shinjiru is the primary Japanese verb for 'to believe.' Use it when you have a strong conviction or trust in someone. Example: 私はあなたを信じています (I believe in you).
- Shinjiru means to believe or trust.
- It is an Ichidan (Group 2) verb.
- It is used for facts, people, and spiritual faith.
- Commonly used as 'shinjite iru' for a state of belief.
Example
彼の話を信じます。
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Grammar Rules
More emotions words
ぼんやり
B1Vaguely; absentmindedly; dimly.
夢中
B1Absorption; engrossment; infatuation.
受け止める
B1To accept; to take; to grasp.
達成感
B1Sense of accomplishment.
ひしひしと
B1Acutely; keenly; strongly (feeling something).
適応する
B1To adapt; to adjust.
健気な
B2Brave, admirable, or plucky (especially of a weaker person).
感心な
B1Admirable; deserving admiration.
感心
B1Admiration, impression, or being impressed.
感心する
B1To be impressed; to admire.