The Kanji: 信 (Shin)
The kanji 信 means "trust," "faith," or "belief." It combines 亻 (person) with 言 (words), representing a person who keeps their word. This character embodies the concept of reliability and confidence in relationships and systems.
Common Words & Example Sentences
1. 信用 (shin'yō) - Trust
彼は信用できる友人だ。
"He is a trustworthy friend."
2. 信仰 (shinkō) - Faith
先祖の信仰を守る。
"Maintain ancestral faith."
3. 信号 (shingō) - Traffic light
信号が青に変わる。
"The traffic light turns green."
4. 信じる (shinjiru) - To believe
可能性を信じる。
"Believe in the possibilities."
In summary, 信 represents foundational trust - from interpersonal reliability (信用) and spiritual conviction (信仰) to systemic indicators (信号) and personal faith (信じる). It's essential for social and personal integrity.