Yojijukugo
Japanese meaning of 一日一善
Reading:
Voice sample:
いちにちいちぜん (ichinichi ichizen)
English Translation:
Doing one good deed each day.
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Doing one good deed a day.
日本語で読む
毎日一つ善い行いをすること。
Cultural Context:
Popularized in modern Japan by Buddhist teacher Kuniyoshi Kōdō. Often used in self-improvement contexts.
日本語で読む
近代日本の仏教指導者・久道恭道が広めた標語。自己啓発や教育の場で使われる。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• Noun phrase with “を行う” or “を積む” to describe a daily good deed (“一日一善を心がける”).<br>• Often used in educational or moral guidance contexts.
日本語で読む
• 毎日一つの善行を行うことを表す「〜を行う」「〜を心がける」（例：「一日一善を心がける」）。<br>• 道徳教育や啓発活動でよく用いられる。
Trap for English Speakers
May be interpreted as “one good deed” without the daily aspect, but the phrase stresses doing it every single day.
日本語で読む
一度の善行ではなく、毎日欠かさず行う点を強調する表現であることに注意。
Example
Example 1Basic Example
彼は一日一善を心がけ、小さな親切を欠かさない。
He strives to do one good deed every day.
Example 2Applied Example
「一日一善、今日は席を譲ったぞ。」
One good deed a day — I gave up my seat today.
Quick check
Meaning
What does 「一日一善」 mean?