信じる

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 信じる is read as しんじる and means believing or placing trust in words, people, or ability.
• Basic usage: It can connect trust in a friend with a decision or express confidence in one’s own strength.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Trusting what someone says
  • 友人の言葉を信じて shows that trust in the friend’s words led to the decision to wait. Example: 友人の言葉を信じてもう少し待つことにした。
• Believing in one’s ability
  • 自分の力を信じる means retaining confidence in one’s own strength until the end. Example: 最後まで自分の力を信じることが大切だ。