紳士
shinshi[ɕĩɰ̃ɕi]
The Japanese word for gentleman is 紳士 (shinshi). Wiktionary also lists ジェントルマン (jentoruman) and ゼントルマン (zentoruman).
Meaning: well-bred, well-mannered, or charming man (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 紳士 | shinshi | [ɕĩɰ̃ɕi] (narrow) |
| ジェントルマン | jentoruman | [d͡ʑẽ̞nto̞ɾɯ̟mã̠ɴ] (narrow) |
| ゼントルマン | zentoruman |
The term refers to a man who is well-bred, well-mannered or charming. While 紳士 is the standard noun, you can describe an action or behavior as being gentlemanly by using the adjective form 紳士的.
Which one should you use?
紳士 is the standard Japanese term, whereas ジェントルマン is a direct phonetic loan from English. ジェントルマン is often used in modern, casual or pop-culture contexts. The form ゼントルマン is also a phonetic variation.
How do you pronounce it?
shinshi
Did you know?
- In some niche or humorous contexts, the term 紳士 can be used ironically to refer to a 'pervert' who is nonetheless polite or refined in their behavior.
- The word 紳士 is composed of two kanji: 紳 referring to a man's dress or silk and 士 referring to a scholar or samurai.
- The phrase 紳士協定 describes a 'gentleman's agreement' that is legally unenforceable but culturally binding through the threat of losing face.
Examples in context
- 彼は紳士である。He is a gentleman.This sentence is useful for stating that someone is a gentleman using 紳士.Tatoeba #103691 by bunbuku, translation #300002 by CH
- 彼は本当の紳士だ。He is a real gentleman.This sentence is useful for emphasizing that someone is a true gentleman using 紳士.Tatoeba #99865 by bunbuku, translation #284369 by CK
- 彼は完壁な紳士だ。He is every inch a gentleman.This sentence is useful for describing someone as being every inch a gentleman using 紳士.Tatoeba #108780 by bunbuku, translation #292909 by CM
- 彼は 紳士 ですね。He is a gentleman, isn't he?
- 彼はいつも 紳士的 に振る舞います。He always behaves like a gentleman.
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui is telling Hiroto about a man she met at a party.
- 結衣 Yui昨日会った人は、とても紳士的な方だったわ。Kinō atta hito wa, totemo shintishiteki na kata datta wa.The person I met yesterday was a very gentlemanly person.
- 大翔 Hirotoへえ、どんな振る舞いだったの？Hee, donna furumai datta no?Oh, how did he behave?
- 結衣 Yui本当に紳士で、とても親切に接してくれたの。Hontō ni shinshi de, totemo shinsetsu ni sesshite kureta no.He was a true gentleman and treated me very kindly.
- 大翔 Hirotoそれはいい出会いだったね。Sore wa ii deai datta ne.That sounds like a nice encounter.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gentleman” translations and entries 紳士, ジェントルマン, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ジェントルマン, 紳士, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
