人格（じんかく、jinkaku）
- personality

The Japanese word 人格, read as じんかく (jinkaku), primarily translates to "personality," "character," or "individuality" in English. It encompasses the moral and ethical qualities that define a person, as well as their unique way of thinking, feeling, and behaving. It's often associated with a person's inner self, including their values, principles, and the overall impression they make on others. The word 人格 is not just about outward behavior; it also refers to the inner workings of a person's moral compass and sense of self-worth. In a broader sense, it can also refer to the quality of being a human being, as in human dignity or rights. It's a complex concept that touches upon ethics, psychology, and personal identity. The term reflects how an individual carries themselves and the values they uphold.

⚫︎彼は立派な人格の持ち主だ。 Translation: He is a person of admirable character. ⚫︎人格形成は子供の成長にとって重要だ。 Translation: Character development is important for a child's growth. ⚫︎そのスキャンダルは彼の人格を傷つけた。 Translation: The scandal damaged his reputation.

The word 人格 is used in formal and informal contexts. It's frequently employed when discussing someone's character, moral standing, or reputation. You might use it when talking about someone you admire, someone whose behavior you disapprove of, or when discussing ethical issues. It's common in contexts such as education (人格教育 - character education), legal proceedings, and psychological discussions. You can also use this word when talking about how someone's personality or character has changed over time. The choice of tone depends on the situation, but the core meaning of "personality" or "character" remains consistent.

The word 人格 is written using the kanji 人格. The reading is じんかく (jinkaku) in hiragana. There are no other ways to write the word, and there are no variations in the okurigana.

⚫︎性格 (せいかく - seikaku): character, personality ⚫︎性質 (せいしつ - seishitsu): nature, disposition ⚫︎人間性 (にんげんせい - ningen sei): humanity, human nature ⚫︎品性 (ひんせい - hinsei): quality of character, refined character ⚫︎品格 (ひんかく - hinkaku): dignity, character

⚫︎There aren't direct antonyms for 人格, as it is a concept. However, words that describe negative character traits can be considered as opposites in a sense. ⚫︎Some examples include: ⚫︎悪 (あく - aku): evil ⚫︎邪悪 (じゃあく - jaaku): wicked ⚫︎冷酷 (れいこく - reikoku): cruel

彼は高い人格を持った人として尊敬されている。 ・Translation: He is respected as a person with a high moral character. ・Explanation: This sentence describes someone who is admired due to their strong character and ethical behavior.

子供の人格を育むためには、良い教育が必要だ。 ・Translation: Good education is necessary to nurture a child's character. ・Explanation: This sentence emphasizes the importance of education in shaping a child's character and personality.

The word 人格 is a compound word formed from two kanji. 人 (jin/hito) means "person" or "human," and 格 (kaku) means "character," "status," or "quality." Therefore, 人格 literally translates to "person's character/quality," capturing the essence of the word's meaning. The word's origin likely dates back to when the Japanese language adopted Chinese characters (kanji).