awe, respect, honor, revere
敬 centers on a deep, respectful attitude: feeling awe, showing honor, and revering someone or something. It captures both the inner sense of respect and its outward expression.
敬 combines 苟 (which likely contributes a sound element) with 攵 (a hand holding a stick, suggesting action or authority). Together they express the idea of acting with respect or reverence.
The left side 苟 looks like a person bowing deeply, and the right side 攵 is a hand holding a stick, like a ceremonial staff. Imagine someone bowing with a staff of authority, showing deep respect and awe.
For ケイ, picture a respectful person bowing and saying 'Kay' (like 'okay') as a sign of honor: Kay -> ケイ, and the bow shows reverence.
respect; esteem; reverence; honour; honor
respect; honour; honor
reverence; respect
honorific; term of respect; polite expression; honorific language
pretending to respect (someone) while in fact staying distant; keeping at arm's length; giving a wide berth
respect for the aged
salute; bow
honorific title; honorific term of address
respect and affection; love and respect
pious; devout
to show respect for; to revere; to honour; to honor; to worship; to hold in esteem
disrespect; irreverence; impiety; blasphemy; profanity
rudeness; impoliteness; disrespect; impertinence
reverence; awe; respect
courtesy; show of respect
reverence
great admiration; deep respect
love and respect
yours sincerely; sincerely yours; yours truly
a respectful bow