信じる
shinjiru[ɕĩɲ̟d͡ʑiɾɯ̟]
To believe in Japanese is 信じる (shinjiru).
The verb 信じる is used to express the act of accepting something as true. In English, there is often a distinction between 'believing someone' and 'believing in something' (like a concept or a ghost), but in Japanese, 信じる covers both meanings.
Meaning: to accept as true (verb)
Which one should you use?
While 信じる is the standard form, you may encounter 信じている, which is used to express a stable, ongoing state of belief. Additionally, the potential form 信じられる is often used to describe that someone or something is trustworthy or believable.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 信じている is frequently used to express a continuous or stable state of belief in a person or an idea. The potential form 信じられる is used to express the capability of being believed or the quality of being trustworthy.
How do you pronounce it?
shinjiru
Did you know?
- The kanji character in 信じる is composed of the radicals for 'person' and 'speech', suggesting that truth is something a person says.
- The phrase 信じられない (shinjirarenai), the negative potential form of 信じる, is frequently used as an exclamation like 'unbelievable' or 'no way' to express shock.
- The word 信じる is a relative of the word 信用 (shinyō), which refers to 'credit' or 'reliability' in a financial or professional context.
Examples in context
- 僕は君を信じる。I believe you.This sentence shows how to express believing a person using 信じる.Tatoeba #81926 by bunbuku, translation #17421 by CK
- 運命って信じる？Do you believe in fate?This sentence shows how to ask if someone believes in a concept like fate using 信じる.Tatoeba #3555720 by arnab, translation #2646085 by CK
- 幽霊って信じる？Do you believe in ghosts?This sentence shows how to ask if someone believes in ghosts using 信じる.Tatoeba #4843464 by tommy_san, translation #63212 by CK
- 彼の専門知識には信頼しています。I believe in his expertise.
- 彼の話、信じてるよ。I believe in what he says.
- まじで信じられない話だよ！It's a story that's hard to believe!
- 48 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are talking about a friend's story.
- 結衣 Yui彼の話、本当に信じるの？Kare no hanashi, hontou ni shinjiru no?Do you really believe his story?
- 蓮 Renうん、僕は彼を信じるよ。Un, boku wa kare o shinjiru yo.Yeah, I believe him.
- 結衣 Yuiでも、少し怪しいと思うんだけど。Demo, sukoshi ayashii to omou ndakedo.But I think it's a bit suspicious.
- 蓮 Ren結衣も信じてみてよ。Yui mo shinjite mite yo.You should try believing him too, Yui.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “believe” translations and entries 信じる, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
