Japanese word

頂戴

Pronunciation

Romajichōdai

Meaning

  • nounreceive

Example

贈り物を頂戴しました。oku ri mono o chō dai shi ma shi ta

I received a gift.

Illustration for 頂戴 (receive)

More examples

お名前を頂戴してもよろしいですか。o na mae o chō dai shi te mo yo ro shi i de su ka

May I have your name?

Core concept

Centers on receiving something from another person, extending to a request for that person to give it.

Common phrases

  • 頂戴するchō dai su ru

    receive

Similar words

受け取りuketori: The act of taking or accepting something that another person gives.

Definition in Japanese

人から物を受け取ること。また、物を与えてほしいと相手に求めること。hito ka ra mono o u ke to ru ko to ma ta mono o ata e te ho shi i to ai te ni moto me ru ko to

Word origin

The compound 頂戴 (chōdai) combines 頂 (chō, "top of the head") and 戴 (tai, "receive respectfully"); its original sense was to place something on the head, which led to the humble sense of receiving.

Usage tips

  • The humble verb 頂戴する (chōdai suru) appears in polite speech about receiving, while the noun form is also used in casual requests.

Other meanings

  • please give menoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word