How to say "courteous" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 丁寧ていねいna-adjective, nounThe general word for polite, courteous manner, speech, or writing; it suggests careful, attentive politeness and covers ordinary courtesy in everyday situations.
- 丁重ていちょうna-adjective, nounCourteous with an added nuance of respect and hospitality; it suggests dealing with a person in a careful, respectful, welcoming way, as with a guest.
- 儀礼的ぎれいてきna-adjectiveCourteous in a formal, ritualistic way: politeness observed as social form, often without genuine feeling behind it, as in ceremonial greetings or official replies.
- 手厚いてあついi-adjectiveCourteous with personal warmth: kind, cordial, hospitable treatment or reception, as in a hearty welcome or attentive, generous care.
Use 丁寧 for politeness and courtesy in general, 丁重 for respectful, hospitable courtesy, 儀礼的 for courtesy that is a matter of form or ritual, and 「手厚い」 for warm, cordial treatment or reception.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
