How to say "honour" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 光栄こうえいnoun, na-adjectiveCovers 'honour' as a privilege: the feeling of being honoured when meeting someone respected or receiving a special opportunity; it is the word for 'it is an honour to...'.
- 栄誉えいよnounHonour as distinction or glory conferred on a person, especially praise and acclaim for achievement; it is close to 名誉 but centres on the honour received rather than on personal integrity.
- 名誉めいよnoun, na-adjectiveThe broadest of these words: honour as good reputation, personal integrity and credit — the honour of a person, family or group; think of honour as a quality one keeps, defends or wins.
- 敬意けいいnounReally means 'respect'; it corresponds to 'honour' only when honouring someone in the sense of showing esteem, and is not the word for honour as reputation, glory or privilege.
- nounCorresponds to 'honour' in the social sense of 'face' — one's standing and dignity in the eyes of others; it concerns not being embarrassed or losing face rather than glory or integrity.
Choose 光栄 for the feeling of being honoured or privileged, 名誉 for honour as reputation or integrity, 栄誉 for honour as distinction conferred, 敬意 for honouring someone in the sense of respect, and 「メンツ」 for social face.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 光栄こうえいhonour
- 栄誉えいよhonour
- 名誉めいよhonor
- 敬意けいいrespect
- メンツface
- 栄えはえglory
- 敬ううやまうto show respect for
- 重んずるおもんずるto honor
- 面目めんぼくface
- 体面たいめんhonour
- 誉れほまれhonour
- 操みさおfidelity
- 重んじるおもんじるto respect
- 尊敬そんけいrespect
- 義ぎmorality
- 義理ぎりduty
- 節操せっそうintegrity
- 栄えいhonor
- オナーhonor
- 外聞がいぶんreputation
- 一分いちぶんduty
- 誉望よぼうhonor
- 面目次第めんぼくしだいface
- 栄名えいめいglory
- 敬いうやまいreverence
- 肩身かたみhonour
- 尊ぶとうとぶto respect
- 手前てまえone's standpoint
- 器量きりょう(public) estimation (esp. of a man)
- 馨香けいこうhonor
- 賜るたまわるto give
See also
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
