尊敬
Meaning in Englishrespect, admiration, reverence
Animated kanji stroke order
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Word context
What it means
尊敬 means a feeling of deep admiration and regard toward someone due to their qualities, achievements, or status, with a sense of deference; it also appears in the verb 尊敬する, meaning to respect or hold in high regard.
Main meanings
- A noun meaning deep admiration and esteem for someone’s qualities, achievements, or position, often with deference.
- With 尊敬する it forms a verb meaning to respect or revere someone or something.
- Used in formal contexts and in discussions of social hierarchy or ethical admiration.
How to use it
Primarily used in formal and polite speech to describe respect toward people of higher status, authority, or toward virtuous ideals; common with 尊敬する to express the act of respecting, and with 尊敬すべき人 to denote someone deserving of respect.
Variants and close terms
- 敬意 keii — respect
- 尊重 sonchou — esteem
- 軽蔑 keibetsu — contempt
Composition
- 尊: value, dignity; implies holding someone in high regard
- 敬: reverence, courtesy; emphasizes deference
Etymology
尊敬 is a Sino-Japanese compound whose on'yomi readings are used in compounds; 尊 contributes the sense of value and dignity while 敬 conveys reverence and courtesy, combining to form a formal noun for respect.
Origin
Borrowed from Chinese; entered Japanese through classical Chinese literature, with usage expanding in official, religious, and educational contexts.
Word class
Noun (suru-verb) (名詞, サ変動詞)