Translation guide
To feel deep respect and admiration for someone or something, often with a sense of awe or devotion. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various verbs and phrases that differ in intensity, formality, and object of reverence.
Expressing profound respect and admiration for a person, such as a mentor, historical figure, or leader.
The most common and versatile verb for 'revere' or 'respect deeply'. Used for people, their achievements, or qualities. Suitable for both spoken and written contexts.
私は祖父をとても敬っています。
I deeply revere my grandfather.
彼は師匠を敬う気持ちを忘れない。
He never forgets to revere his master.
Implies worship or adoration, stronger than 敬う. Often used for idols, religious figures, or extreme admiration. Can carry a nuance of blind devotion.
Can sound excessive or cult-like if used for ordinary respect. Use 敬う for general reverence.
彼女はその歌手を崇拝している。
She reveres that singer (almost worships them).
To value highly, esteem, or honor. Often used for abstract qualities, traditions, or life itself. More formal and somewhat literary.
命を尊ぶ心を育てる。
To cultivate a heart that reveres life.
To look up to with awe, almost deify. Used for gods, emperors, or supreme beings. Very strong and somewhat archaic.
古代人は太陽を神として崇めた。
Ancient people revered the sun as a god.
Expressing religious or spiritual reverence, worship, or veneration.
To worship or perform religious rites. Used in contexts of organized religion, such as church services or temple rituals.
信者たちは毎週教会で神を礼拝する。
The believers revere God by worshipping at church every week.
As above, can be used for religious worship, but often implies a personal, intense devotion rather than formal ritual.
彼は自然の力を崇拝している。
He reveres the forces of nature (worships them).
To enshrine or deify; used for Shinto kami or imperial ancestors. Very specific to Japanese religious context.
Revering ideals, principles, or abstract concepts like freedom, justice, or tradition.
To respect, value, or honor. Commonly used for opinions, rights, diversity, etc. Less intense than 'revere' but natural in many contexts.
Often translates as 'respect' rather than 'revere'. Use when the English 'revere' is used lightly.
私たちは互いの意見を尊重すべきだ。
We should revere each other's opinions (respect them).
As above, suitable for abstract ideals. Conveys a deeper, more principled reverence.
自由を尊ぶ精神。
A spirit that reveres freedom.
To pay respect or show reverence. A common phrase used for people, achievements, or traditions.
彼の功績に敬意を払う。
We revere his achievements (pay respect to them).
敬う (うやまう) is the safest choice for general reverence towards people. 尊ぶ (とうとぶ) is more abstract and formal, often used for values. 崇拝する (すうはいする) implies worship and can be excessive if used for ordinary admiration.
師を敬う (natural) vs 師を崇拝する (too strong)
Revere one's teacher (natural) vs worship one's teacher (too strong)
English 'revere' covers a range from deep respect to worship. Japanese requires choosing the right word based on the object and intensity. Using 崇拝する for a respected professor would sound odd.
That shrine reveres the spirits of ancestors.