Japanese word

名誉

Pronunciation

Romajimeiyo

Meaning

  • nounhonor

Example

私は家族の名誉を守ります。watashi wa ka zoku no mei yo o mamo ri ma su

I protect my family's honor.

Illustration for 名誉 (honor)

More examples

その賞を受けることは私にとって大きな名誉です。so no shō o u ke ru ko to wa watashi ni to tte ō ki na mei yo de su

Receiving this award is a great honor for me.

Core concept

Describes the social respect and good standing that give a person or group a valued public name.

Common phrases

  • 名誉を守るmei yo o mamo ru

    protect one's honor

  • 名誉を傷つけるmei yo o kizu tsu ke ru

    damage one's honor

  • 名誉を回復するmei yo o kai fuku su ru

    restore one's honor

Similar words

栄誉eiyo: High honor received for an achievement or special contribution.
面子mentsu: A person's social dignity and public image, especially in relationships with others.
威信ishin: The authority and respect that make a person or organization trusted and influential.

Definition in Japanese

人や集団が社会から受ける尊敬や高い評価。hito ya shū dan ga sha kai ka ra u ke ru son kei ya taka i hyō ka

Word origin

名誉 (meiyo) combines 名 (mei, "name") with 誉 (yo, "praise"), expressing the idea that praise attached to someone's name becomes social honor.

Usage tips

  • 名誉教授 (meiyo kyōju) means "professor emeritus" or "honorary professor," showing how 名誉 (meiyo) can mark an honored status in a title.

Other meanings

  • distinctionnoun
  • famenoun
  • glorynoun

Opposites

  • 不名誉fumeiyodishonornoun
  • 恥辱chijokudisgracenoun

Related words

  • 名誉心meiyoshinsense of honornoun
  • 名誉欲meiyoyokudesire for honornoun

Word lists with this word