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Words Kanji Guides About

敬う (うやまう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

敬うやまう

う

や

ま

う

Common wordJLPTN2Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-u), transitive verb

respect; revere; honor

Used for showing deep respect toward people, deities, ancestors, or traditions. Often implies a sense of reverence or esteem.

私わたしたちは先せん祖ぞを敬うやまうべきだ。
We should respect our ancestors.
彼かれは先せん生せいを

とても

敬うやま

っ

て

いる

。

He deeply respects his teacher.

Written forms

敬うやまうUsage93%
Standard kanji spelling; the only written form.
うやまうUsage7%

Kanji

敬awe, respect, honor

Similar words

尊そん敬けいする
尊敬する is the most common word for 'respect' and can be used in a wide range of contexts. 敬う carries a stronger nuance of reverence or veneration, often used for elders, gods, or traditions.
崇あがめる
崇める means 'to worship' or 'to revere' and is stronger than 敬う, often used in religious contexts or for idolizing someone.

Etymology

The kanji 敬 means 'respect' or 'revere'. The reading うやまう is a native Japanese verb. The exact derivation is uncertain, but it may be related to the old honorific prefix うや (uya) and the verb まう (mau, 'to dance' or 'to offer'), though this is speculative.