Japanese Conversation · Level 109
60 words
Japanese word
丁寧
Pronunciation
Romajiteinei
Meaning
- na-adjectivepolite
Example
この店員は丁寧です。ko no ten in wa tei nei de su
This clerk is polite.
More examples
初めて会う人にも丁寧な言葉を選びます。haji me te a u hito ni mo tei nei na koto ba o era bi ma su
I choose polite words even with people I meet for the first time.
Core concept
It presents careful attention as respect for others or thoroughness in the way something is done.
Common phrases
丁寧な言葉遣いtei nei na koto ba zuka i
polite word choice
丁寧な説明tei nei na setsu mei
careful explanation
丁寧に答えるtei nei ni kota e ru
answer politely
Similar words
礼儀正しいreigitadashii: It describes behavior that follows accepted rules of courtesy.
丁重teichō: It describes a formal and respectful way of treating someone.
親切shinsetsu: It describes treating others with care and a wish to help.
Definition in Japanese
細かな点まで気を配り、相手への礼儀を欠かさないさま。koma ka na ten ma de ki o kuba ri ai te e no rei gi o ka ka sa na i sa ma
Word origin
丁寧 (teinei) comes from a Chinese expression that meant repeated careful urging and later acquired the Japanese senses of careful and polite.
Usage tips
- In everyday Japanese, 丁寧語 (teineigo) is the polite speech style used with forms such as です (desu) and ます (masu), making the word useful for recognizing courteous conversation.
Other meanings
- carefulna-adjective
Opposites
- 無礼bureirudena-adjective
Related words
- 丁寧さteineisapolitenessnoun