Japanese word

敬う

Pronunciation

Romajiuyamau

Meaning

  • verbrespect

Example

私たちは先生を敬います。watashi ta chi wa sen sei o uyama i ma su

We respect our teacher.

Illustration for 敬う (respect)

More examples

地域の伝統を守り、祖先を敬います。chi iki no den tō o mamo ri so sen o uyama i ma su

We preserve local traditions and honor our ancestors.

Core concept

Centers on treating a person or sacred being as worthy of deep honor, with a formal attitude that can extend to reverence or worship.

Common phrases

  • 目上の人を敬うme ue no hito o uyama u

    respect one's elders

Similar words

尊敬するsonkeisuru: To hold someone in high regard because of their qualities or achievements.
尊ぶtōtobu: To hold a person or thing in high regard, often in formal language.
崇めるagameru: To regard a person or sacred being as holy and superior.

Definition in Japanese

目上の人や神仏などを、深い敬意をもって尊び、礼を尽くして扱うこと。me ue no hito ya shin butsu na do o fuka i kei i o mo tte tōto bi rei o tsu ku shi te atsuka u ko to

Word origin

The Japanese verb 敬う (uyamau) comes from an old native form うやまふ (uyamafu), connected with うや (uya), an expression of respect; the origin of the final part is not certain.

Usage tips

  • 敬う (uyamau) has a formal and solemn tone in modern Japanese and often appears in writing about elders, ancestors, or deities rather than casual admiration between equals.

Other meanings

  • revereverb
  • worshipverb

Opposites

  • 軽蔑するkeibetsusurudespiseverb
  • 侮るanadorulook down onverb

Related words

  • 敬いuyamairespectnoun

Word lists with this word