Kanji for “trust”

Trust in a person, trust as reputation, or good faith as a duty.

信頼 shinrai

Closest natural translation · misunderstanding risk Low

Reading: shinrai — Common compound reading
About the reading: The ordinary word for trusting a person.
Literal meaning: Trust, confidence in someone
What it suggests: Believing someone will not let you down. Personal and warm.
When to use it: For trust between people.
On its own: Natural as a complete noun.
In compounds: Natural in 信頼関係 (a relationship of trust).
As a tattoo: Clear and grounded; understood immediately.

信用 shin'yō

Related meaning, not a literal translation · misunderstanding risk Medium

Reading: shin'yō — Common compound reading
About the reading: Extremely common, but heavily used in money and business.
Literal meaning: Credit, trustworthiness
What it suggests: Trust you have earned and could lose — creditworthiness, reputation. It carries a commercial flavour.
When to use it: For trust as standing or reputation.
On its own: Natural as a complete noun.
In compounds: Natural in 信用金庫 (credit union) and 信用取引 (margin trading).
As a tattoo: Accurate but businesslike; readers may think of banks.
Worth knowing: Strongly associated with credit and finance rather than personal trust.

信義 shingi

Symbolic choice, not a literal translation · misunderstanding risk Low

Reading: shingi — Common compound reading; formal
About the reading: A formal compound, common in law and in traditional codes of conduct.
Literal meaning: Good faith, fidelity to one's word
What it suggests: Keeping faith as an obligation — honouring what you said you would do.
When to use it: For trust as a duty you hold yourself to.
On its own: Natural as a formal noun.
In compounds: Natural in 信義則 (the principle of good faith).
As a tattoo: Principled and old-fashioned; it reads as a personal code.

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