How to say "honor" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 名誉めいよnoun, na-adjectiveCovers 'honor' as a noun: one's good name, credit, or glory. Use it for personal or family honor, or for the honor that an achievement brings.
- 重んずるおもんずるichidan verb (-zuru), transitive verbThis is a verb: to honor in the sense of respecting or esteeming someone or something, holding it in high regard. Choose it when English 'honor' is a verb, not a noun.
- 敬意けいいnounReally 'respect': the deference one feels or shows toward a person. It matches 'honor' only in that sense—honoring someone by showing respect—and is not honor as reputation or glory.
- 光栄こうえいnoun, na-adjectiveHonor in the privilege sense: the feeling of being favored or privileged, as when meeting someone or receiving an invitation is an honor. It fits 'it's an honor to...' remarks.
- 義理ぎりno-adjectiveHonor as social obligation: the sense of duty that makes one repay favors or meet obligations. Its 'honor' sense is really this duty-bound feeling, not reputation or glory.義理だけの拍手をもらう。↗It was just polite applause.
Choose 名誉 for honor as reputation, credit, or glory; 光栄 for the 'it's an honor' privilege sense; 敬意 for respect shown to a person; the verb 「重んずる」 for honoring someone; and 義理 for honor as duty.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 名誉めいよhonor
- 重んずるおもんずるto honor
- 敬意けいいrespect
- 光栄こうえいhonour
- 義理ぎりduty
- メンツface
- 栄誉えいよhonour
- 面目めんぼくface
- 操みさおfidelity
- 体面たいめんhonour
- 重んじるおもんじるto respect
- 誉れほまれhonour
- 尊敬そんけいrespect
- 敬ううやまうto show respect for
- 節操せっそうintegrity
- 栄えいhonor
- オナーhonor
- 誉望よぼうhonor
- 一分いちぶんduty
- 敬いうやまいreverence
- 面目次第めんぼくしだいface
- 栄名えいめいglory
- 外聞がいぶんreputation
- 沽券こけんdignity
- 顔かおhonor (honour)
- 尊ぶとうとぶto respect
- 肩身かたみhonour
- 顔かんばせhonor (honour)
- 馨香けいこうhonor
- 賜るたまわるto give
See also
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