従順な
jūjun na
The English word "obedient" can be translated into Japanese using several forms, most commonly 従順な (jūjun na). Wiktionary also lists 忠実な (chūjitsu na) and 大人しい (otonashii).
Meaning: willing to comply with commands (adj)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 従順な | jūjun na | |
| 忠実な | chūjitsu na | |
| 大人しい | otonashii | [o̞to̞na̠ɕiː] (narrow) |
You might use 従順な to describe someone who follows rules, 忠実な to describe someone who is faithful to a cause or 大人しい to describe someone who is quiet and well-behaved.
Which one should you use?
従順な implies a person who follows orders or rules without question, often used in a slightly clinical or descriptive sense regarding temperament. In contrast, 忠実な is used when the obedience stems from loyalty or devotion to a person, cause or principle, rather than just following orders. Finally, 大人しい describes someone who is quiet, well-behaved or passive, often used for children or pets that do not cause trouble.
How do you pronounce it?
jūjun na
Did you know?
- Japanese has a concept called 空気を読む which means 'reading the air'. This is a form of social obedience where people comply with unspoken rules to maintain harmony without being told what to do.
- In Japan, describing a dog as 忠実な often evokes the legendary story of Hachikō. This dog waited at a train station for nine years after his owner died, becoming the ultimate symbol of this specific type of obedience.
- The word 大人しい literally translates to 'adult-like', suggesting that being quiet or well-behaved is a characteristic of a mature person.
Examples in context
- 犬は従順で、いつも私についてきます。The dog is obedient and always follows me.
- 彼はとても従順な性格です。Kare wa totemo juujun na seikaku desu.He has a very obedient personality.
- 従順な犬を飼っています。Juujun na inu o katte imasu.I have an obedient dog.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “obedient” translations and entries 大人しい, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 大人しい, CC BY-SA 4.0.
