Skip to content
道Nihongo Path
慶

慶·jubilation, congratulate, rejoice

On-yomi
けい
Kun-yomi
よろこ.び

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
慶事けいじhappy event (wedding, birth, etc.)
慶弔けいちょうweddings and funerals, congratulations and condolences
慶祝けいしゅくcongratulation, celebration
慶賀けいがcongratulation (formal)

Example sentences

  1. 今年は家族に慶事が続いた。

    ことしはかぞくにけいじがつづいた。

    This year our family had one happy occasion after another.

  2. 会社には慶弔休暇の制度がある。

    かいしゃにはけいちょうきゅうかのせいどがある。

    The company has a system of leave for weddings and funerals.

  3. 新社屋の完成を慶祝する式が行われた。

    しんしゃおくのかんせいをけいしゅくするしきがおこなわれた。

    A ceremony was held to celebrate the completion of the new office building.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Using 慶 in casual speech — it belongs to formal notices and greeting cards; everyday joy is うれしい or めでたい
  • Reading 慶弔 as けいちょう but writing it 敬弔

Memory aid

Picture it

A heart 心 tucked inside a wide, bowing figure: the formal delight you express at someone else's good fortune.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5

What does the kanji 慶 mean?