美徳

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 美徳, read びとく, means a character trait or attitude regarded as morally admirable.
• Basic usage: It is used to value qualities such as the courage to admit a mistake or to discuss the belief that an attitude is virtuous.
  • 間違いを認める勇気は大切な美徳だ。

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Basis of evaluation compared with 長所
  • 長所 broadly means a strength or positive quality, while 美徳 focuses on moral value. What is treated as a 美徳 also depends on the viewpoint of the person making that evaluation.