威信
ishin
The English phrase "prestige" can be translated into Japanese as 威信 (ishin). Wiktionary also lists 名誉 (meiyo).
Meaning: dignity, status, or esteem (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 威信 | ishin | |
| 名誉 | meiyo | [me̞ːjo̞] (narrow) |
The word refers to the status, dignity or esteem one possesses. When describing prestige in terms of social weight, influence or clout, use 威信.
Which one should you use?
While both terms relate to status, they are used in different contexts. Use 名誉 (meiyo) when prestige refers to honor, reputation or the glory of an institution. In contrast, use 威信 (ishin) when the prestige specifically implies authority, influence or social weight.
How do you pronounce it?
ishin
Did you know?
- The character 威 (i) in 威信 also appears in the word for 'threat' or 'intimidation', suggesting a connection between prestige and a certain level of formidable presence.
- In Japanese culture, 名誉 (meiyo) is closely tied to the concept of 'saving face'. Losing one's 名誉 can be considered a social death, which is a much more severe consequence than the English loss of 'prestige'.
- While 名誉 (meiyo) is often used for formal awards, using it to describe one's own social standing can sound excessively boastful or even suspicious in a professional setting.
Examples in context
- これは我が校の名誉にかかわる問題だ。The problem affects the prestige of our school.This sentence shows how to use 名誉 when discussing the prestige of an institution.Tatoeba #218476 by small_snow, translation #55788 by Grayster
- 彼の威厳ある振る舞いは、周囲からの尊敬を集めていた。His dignified behavior commanded respect from those around him.
- 彼女はその優れた演技により、名声を手に入れた。She gained prestige through her excellent acting skills.
- 彼はその企業の社長だから格があるよ。He has prestige because he is the president of that company.
- 彼は威信をかけてこのプロジェクトを進める。Kare wa ishin o kakete kono purojekuto o susumeru.He is proceeding with this project with great prestige at stake.
- その大学は世界的な威信を誇っている。Sono daigaku wa sekaiteki na ishin o hokotte iru.That university boasts international prestige.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a high-stakes business negotiation.
- 結衣 Yui今回の交渉は、我が社の威信に関わります。Konkai no koushou wa, wagasha no ishin ni kakawarimasu.This negotiation involves the prestige of our company.
- 蓮 Renそうですね、絶対に失敗できません。Sou desu ne, zettai ni shippai dekimasen.You're right, we absolutely cannot fail.
- 結衣 Yui蓮さんは、準備はできていますか？Ren-san wa, junbi wa dekite imasu ka?Ren, are you prepared?
- 蓮 Renはい、万全の体制で臨みます。Hai, banzen no taisei de nozomimasu.Yes, I will approach it with full preparation.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “prestige” translations and entries 威信, 名誉, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
