人徳

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The spelling is 人徳, read じんとく, and it combines 人, meaning person, with 徳, meaning virtue or moral character.
• Basic usage: The basic sense of 人徳 is a person's admirable character or virtue that earns trust, affection, and respect from others.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Character distinct from ability or knowledge
  • Both examples use the form 人徳. The emphasis is on trust and respect arising from someone's character rather than on the amount of skill or knowledge they possess.
• Help inspired by virtue and respect for an elder
  • 困ったときに皆が助けるのは彼の人徳だろう。 — People probably help him in times of need because of his good character.
  • 長老は知識だけでなく人徳でも村人に慕われている。 — The villagers admire the elder for both his knowledge and his virtue.