Japanese word

会釈

Pronunciation

Romajieshaku

Meaning

  • nounslight bow

Example

先生に会釈します。sen sei ni e shaku shi ma su

I bow slightly to my teacher.

Illustration for 会釈 (slight bow)

More examples

遠くから友人に会釈をしました。tō ku ka ra yū jin ni e shaku o shi ma shi ta

I gave my friend a slight bow from a distance.

Core concept

Marks a brief social acknowledgment of another person through a small movement of the head.

Common phrases

  • 会釈をするe shaku o su ru

    give a slight bow

Similar words

お辞儀ojigi: A bow made by bending the upper body to greet someone or show respect.
目礼mokurei: A silent greeting or acknowledgment made with a slight movement of the head.
一礼ichirei: A single bow performed to express greeting, respect, or thanks.

Definition in Japanese

人に出会ったときなどに軽く頭を下げて礼をすること。hito ni de a tta to ki na do ni karu ku atama o sa ge te rei o su ru ko to

Word origin

会釈 (eshaku) combines 会 (e, "meeting") with 釈 (shaku, "interpretation"). Its earlier Buddhist use concerned reconciling teachings, and Japanese later extended the term to a slight bow.

Usage tips

  • Unlike a deep formal bow, an 会釈 (eshaku) commonly serves as a quick greeting or acknowledgment when people pass each other.

Other meanings

  • nodnoun

Related words

  • 会釈するeshakusurubow slightlyverb

Word lists with this word