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道Nihongo Path
敬

敬·respect, reverence, honor

On-yomi
ケイ
Kun-yomi
うやま(う)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

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

12 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
尊敬そんけいrespect
敬語けいごhonorific language
敬ううやまうto respect, to honor
敬意けいいrespect, regard
敬遠けいえんkeeping at a distance

Example sentences

  1. 日本語の敬語は使い分けが難しい。

    にほんごのけいごはつかいわけがむずかしい。

    Using Japanese honorifics correctly is difficult.

  2. 目上の人を敬う気持ちを忘れないでください。

    めうえのひとをうやまうきもちをわすれないでください。

    Do not forget to have respect for your elders.

  3. 彼の努力に敬意を表したい。

    かれのどりょくにけいいをひょうしたい。

    I want to express my respect for his efforts.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • 敬 is ケイ; 尊敬 is そんけい, not そんきょう.
  • 敬う is うやまう, an irregular-looking kun reading worth memorizing as a whole.

Memory aid

Picture it

A person kneeling 苟 before a hand holding a rod 攵: showing deep respect.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 敬 mean?