信任

しんにん

trust, confidence, credence

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"信任" (しんにん) is a formal noun meaning "trust" or "confidence," often used in political, business, or official contexts. It implies a strong, official trust or confidence placed in a person or institution.

Common Contexts

This word frequently appears in contexts involving authority or responsibility, such as gaining trust from a superior, political trust from citizens, or formal votes of confidence.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 信任を得る: to gain trust or confidence
  • 信任を失う: to lose trust
  • 信任投票: vote of confidence

These collocations are common in formal or official speech and writing.

Register and Nuance

"信任" is more formal and official than everyday words like "信用" or "信頼." It is often used in legal, political, or corporate settings.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "信任" with "信頼" (しんらい), which also means trust but is more general and used in everyday contexts. Remember, "信任" carries a nuance of official or formal trust, often involving responsibility or authority.

Example Sentences

かれはぶちょうからしんにんをえて、じゅうようなプロジェクトをまかされた。

He gained the trust of the department head and was entrusted with an important project.

せいじかはこくみんのしんにんをうしなうと、すぐにじにんをせまられることがおおい。

When politicians lose the trust of the people, they are often pressured to resign immediately.

しんにんとうひょうはぎかいでせいふのしじをかくにんするためにおこなわれる。

A vote of confidence is held in the parliament to confirm support for the government.