What does “makoto” mean in Japanese?
Native speakers say “makoto” to mean ‘truth’, ‘reality’, ‘sincerity’, or such in Japanese. Perhaps, many Japanese learners know this word well as it is often used in Japanese movies, video games, songs, manga, anime, and the like. In this blog post, however, I will explain this word in detail with its kanji expressions. And also, I will explain how to use it through example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners to understand “makoto” more clearly. Then, let’s get started!
Contents
Definition and meanings of “makoto”
Let me start with the definition and meanings of “makoto”.
- makoto – 誠/実/真 (まこと) : a noun meaning ‘truth’, ‘reality’, ‘sincerity’, or such in Japanese.
This noun has the three different kanji expressions, but they have the same concept. They are used to refer to something without any fake or false information. Native speakers, therefore, use this noun to refer to the truth, reality, or sincerity in Japanese.
It’s also worth mentioning here that “makoto” is often used as a name. This means that the parents hoped the life without any lie or fake when they named their child.
The definition and meanings are not so difficult, I think. Then, let me explain how to use it through the example sentences below.
Example #1: how to use “makoto” in Japanese
uso kara de ta makoto – 嘘から出た実 (うそからでたまこと)
Many a true word is spoken in jest.
Below are the new words used in the example.
- uso – 嘘 (うそ) : a noun meaning ‘lie’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural. Learn more about Japanese plural.
- kara – から : a case particle used to say where someone or something starts. In the example, this is used after “uso” to say where “makoto” comes from.
- de – 出 (で) : one conjugation of the verb, “deru”, which means ‘to go out’, ‘to come out’, or such in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
- ta – た : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its past tense form. In the example, this is used after “de” to make its past tense form, “de ta”.
This is a typical usage of “makoto”. In the example, it works as a part of the proverb, “uso kara de ta makoto”, which literally means ‘a true thing came out of a lie’ in Japanese. We know that sometimes a lie ends up with being true. Japanese people use this proverb to refer to that situation. This is the concept and usage of the proverb in Japanese, although it is often translated into English as “many a true word is spoken in jest.”
Example #2: another usage of “makoto”
uso ka makoto ka watashi wa shira nai – 嘘か真か私は知らない (うそかまことかわたしはしらない)
I don’t know whether it may or may not be true.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- ka – か : an adverbial particle used after a word, phrase, or clause to express its uncertainty. In the example, this is used after both “uso” and “makoto” to express their uncertainties: the speaker doesn’t know whether something is “uso” or “makoto”.
- watashi – 私 (わたし) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese.
- wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works after “watashi” to make the subject in the sentence.
- shira – 知ら (しら) : one conjugation of the verb, “shiru”, which means ‘to know’ in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
- nai – ない : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to deny its meaning. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese nai form. In the example, this is used after “shira” to deny its meaning, ‘to know’.
This is another typical usage of “makoto”. In the example sentence, it works as a part of the commonly-used expression, “uso ka makoto ka”, which means ‘something may or may not be true’ in Japanese. This expression is worth knowing, I think.
Summary
In this blog post, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of “makoto” with its kanji expressions. And also, I’ve explained how to use it through the examples. Let me summarize them as follows.
- makoto – 誠/実/真 (まこと) : a noun meaning ‘truth’, ‘reality’, ‘sincerity’, or such in Japanese. This has the three different kanji expressions, but they have the same concept. They are used to refer to something without any fake or false information in Japanese. Native speakers, therefore, use this noun to refer to the truth, reality, or sincerity in Japanese. It’s also worth mentioning here that “makoto” is often used as a name. This means that the parents hoped the life without any lie or fake when they named their child.
- uso kara de ta makoto – 嘘から出た実 (うそからでたまこと) : a Japanese proverb literally meaning ‘a true thing came out of a lie’. This is often translated into English as “many a true word is spoken in jest.”
Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.
Learn more vocabulary on the app!
You can improve your Japanese vocabulary with our flashcards.
