信用

しんよう

confidence, dependence

JLPT N3

Character Breakdown

Understanding 信用 (xìnyòng)

信用 primarily means "credit" or "trustworthiness." It is widely used in financial contexts to refer to a person's or company's creditworthiness, such as when banks evaluate whether to grant loans. Beyond finance, 信用 also describes personal trustworthiness or reliability.

Usage in Daily Conversation

When you say someone "信用," it means they are trustworthy or reliable. This usage is common in social and professional contexts to express confidence in a person's character or promises.

Common Collocations

  • 银行信用 (bank credit): Refers to credit extended by banks.
  • 信用 (credit rating): The evaluation of creditworthiness.
  • 失去信用 (lose trust): Used when someone or something loses credibility.

Nuances and Tips

信用 emphasizes both the abstract concept of trust and the concrete financial credit. It is more formal than just saying "相信" (to believe). Avoid confusing 信用 with 信任, which focuses more on interpersonal trust rather than financial or formal credit.

Use 信用 when discussing financial trust or formal reliability, and pair it with verbs like "建立" (establish), "保持" (maintain), or "失去" (lose) to describe changes in trust or credit status.

Example Sentences

The bank grants loans based on the customer's credit.

He is a very trustworthy person; everyone believes him.

This company's credit rating is high, so the investment risk is relatively