How to say "etiquette" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- nounThe everyday, all-purpose word for polite behaviour: table manners, phone use, how you act at work or in public. A loanword from English, it is the default choice when you simply mean 'manners'.
- 礼儀れいぎnounCourtesy and proper conduct in dealings with other people — greeting, showing respect, behaving correctly in society. More traditional in flavour than マナー; think of it as courtesy rooted in respect.
- 作法さほうnounPrescribed, formal rules of proper behaviour within a specific discipline such as the tea ceremony or the martial arts. Narrower than マナー: it suggests correct forms handed down by tradition rather than general politeness.
- 儀礼ぎれいnounFormal, public etiquette: ceremony, protocol and official formality, as between states or institutions. Seldom the word for personal manners — for everyday 'etiquette' you almost always want マナー or 礼儀 instead.
- 典礼てんれいno-adjectiveReally 'ceremony' or 'rite', and in religious use it means liturgy. Only marginally a word for etiquette at all; for polite behaviour it is not the word you want.
Use 「マナー」 for everyday polite behaviour, 礼儀 for courtesy and respect toward others, 作法 for prescribed formal conduct in traditional settings, and reserve 儀礼 and 典礼 for ceremonies, protocol and rites rather than personal etiquette.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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