礼
礼·courtesy, thanks, bow
- On-yomi
- レイライ
- Kun-yomi
- none
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| お礼 | おれい | thanks; a token of gratitude |
| 失礼 | しつれい | rudeness; excuse me |
| 礼儀 | れいぎ | manners, etiquette |
| お礼状 | おれいじょう | thank-you letter |
Example sentences
先生にお礼を言いました。
せんせいにおれいをいいました。
I thanked my teacher.
失礼ですが、お名前は何ですか。
しつれいですが、おなまえはなんですか。
Excuse me, but what is your name?
彼は礼儀が正しい人です。
かれはれいぎがただしいひとです。
He is a well-mannered person.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Writing 礼 with 衤 (two dots) — the altar radical 礻 has only one dot
- Using 失礼します only on entering; it is also the standard phrase on leaving a room
Memory aid
Picture it
At the altar (礻) you bend the one stroke on the right like a bowing back — the bow is the form courtesy takes.
Vocabulary using this kanji
- お先に失礼しますおさきにしつれいしますexcuse me for leaving first
- 礼儀れいぎmanners, courtesy
- 礼れい(1) thanks, gratitude, (2) bow, (3) etiquette, courtesy
- 失礼しますしつれいしますexcuse me (entering/leaving)
- お礼おれいthanks, gratitude
- 失礼しつれいrude, impolite
- 失礼しましたしつれいしましたexcuse me, I am sorry
- 謝礼しゃれいreward, honorarium
- 無礼ぶれいrudeness; impoliteness; discourtesy; rude; impolite
Quick check
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What does the kanji 礼 mean?