How to Define Abstract Ideas in Japanese: Justice, Happiness, and More
Learn to define abstract concepts like justice or happiness in simple Japanese using ~to wa ~koto da and ~to iu imi da. Build clear definition sentences for intermediate conversation.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
When you want to explain an abstract idea in Japanese—justice, happiness, freedom, love—you need a definition pattern, not just a vocabulary list. Japanese uses noun + とは + explanatory phrase + ことだ or という意味だ to say 'X means Y.' This lesson teaches you to build those definitions naturally, distinguish こと from もの, and avoid English-style 'is' sentences that sound incomplete in Japanese. You will practice defining concepts in simple terms, asking others for definitions, and clarifying your own meaning when a conversation gets abstract.
By the end, you can…
- define an abstract noun in Japanese using 〜とは〜ことだ or 〜という意味だ.
- ask someone to explain what an abstract word means.
- distinguish when to use こと versus もの in definitions.
- give a simple definition and then add a concrete example.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
正義とは、みんなに公平であることです。
Justice means fairness for everyone.
Seigi to wa, minna ni kōhei de aru koto desu.
The core definition pattern: Xとは + description + ことです. Use for formal or thoughtful explanations.
幸せとは、毎日を大切に生きることです。
Happiness means living each day with care.
Shiawase to wa, mainichi o taisetsu ni ikiru koto desu.
Defines an abstract noun with a verb phrase + こと. Natural in essays, speeches, and serious conversation.
「自由」とはどういう意味ですか。
What does 'freedom' mean?
Jiyū to wa dō iu imi desu ka.
Asks for a definition. とはどういう意味ですか is the standard, neutral way to ask what a word means; it works in class, at work, or in daily talk.
それは、思いやりがあるということです。
That means being considerate.
Sore wa, omoiyari ga aru to iu koto desu.
Use ということです to restate or clarify what something means after the other person asks.
簡単に言うと、みんなが同じルールで扱われるということです。
Simply put, it means everyone is treated by the same rules.
Kantan ni iu to, minna ga onaji rūru de atsukawareru to iu koto desu.
簡単に言うと signals a simplified definition. Useful when the first explanation was too abstract.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The most reliable definition frame is AとはBことだ／ことです. A is the abstract noun, B is a plain-form clause that describes it. Example: 愛とは、相手を大切に思うことです (Love means thinking of the other person as important). You can also use Aという意味はBということです for 'the meaning of A is B.' If B is a noun rather than an action, use もの instead of こと: 正義とは公平さです is possible, but 正義とは公平なことです sounds more natural when explaining a quality. For verbs, always use こと: 幸せとは、笑うことです. To ask for a definition, say Xとは何ですか or Xとはどういう意味ですか. Keep the clause before こと in plain form: 公平であること, not 公平ですこと.
When to use it
Use these patterns when the conversation moves from concrete facts to values, ethics, or feelings. In a classroom, 正義とは何ですか is a direct, neutral question. In a casual talk with a friend, 幸せって、どういう意味だと思う？ is softer and uses って instead of とは. When you define something in a meeting or presentation, 〜とは〜ことです sounds clear and organized. When you need to correct a misunderstanding, say そういう意味ではなく、〜ということです (It doesn't mean that; it means ...). Avoid using です before こと; say 大切であること or 大切なこと, not 大切ですこと. Also, こと cannot follow a noun directly: say 公平さのこと rather than 公平のこと when you mean the quality itself.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
「正義」とは、どういう意味ですか。
What does 'justice' mean?Seigi to wa, dō iu imi desu ka.簡単に言うと、みんなに公平であることです。
Simply put, it means being fair to everyone.Kantan ni iu to, minna ni kōhei de aru koto desu.じゃあ、「幸せ」は？
Then what about 'happiness'?Jā, shiawase wa?幸せとは、毎日を大切に生きることだと思います。
I think happiness means living each day with care.Shiawase to wa, mainichi o taisetsu ni ikiru koto da to omoimasu.A little context goes a long way
Japanese definitions often avoid absolute statements. Adding と思います or と感じます makes a definition sound thoughtful rather than dogmatic. In formal writing, 〜とは〜ことである is common, while casual speech uses 〜って〜ことだ. The choice between こと and もの matters: こと refers to actions, states, and abstract events, while もの refers to concrete things or entities. For abstract ideas like justice or happiness, こと is usually the safer choice unless you are defining a tangible object.
One thing to watch for
Using です before こと, as in 正義とは公平ですこと.
Try this instead: Use plain form before こと: 正義とは公平であることです or 正義とは公平なことです. The clause before こと must be in plain form, not polite form. Example: 幸せとは、笑うことです, not 幸せとは、笑いますことです.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Define 'freedom' in simple Japanese using 〜とは〜ことです.
Show a sample answer
自由とは、自分で選べることです。
This uses the target pattern with a potential verb in plain form before ことです. Other valid answers include 自由とは、自分らしく生きることです, depending on your focus.
2Ask someone what 'kindness' means, using という意味.
Show a sample answer
「優しさ」という意味は何ですか。
This correctly uses という意味は何ですか to ask for a definition. You could also say 優しさとは何ですか, which is equally natural.
3Correct this sentence: 幸せとは、毎日を大切に生きますことです。
Show a sample answer
幸せとは、毎日を大切に生きることです。
The verb before こと must be in plain form: 生きる, not 生きます. This keeps the definition grammatical and natural.
To define abstract ideas in Japanese, use AとはBことです or Aという意味はBということです, keep B in plain form, and choose こと for actions or states. Add と思います to sound thoughtful, not absolute.
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