Translation guide
The English word 'respect' covers a wide range of meanings, from admiration and high regard to politeness and consideration. In Japanese, expressing respect is deeply tied to social hierarchy, politeness levels, and specific vocabulary. This guide breaks down the main uses of 'respect' and provides natural Japanese equivalents.
Expressing deep admiration for someone's character, achievements, or qualities.
The most common and direct translation for 'respect' in the sense of admiring someone. Used for people you look up to.
I have great respect for him.
She is a person worthy of respect.
Literally 'to pay respect/homage'. More formal, often used in speeches or writing.
We must pay respect to our predecessors.
Loanword from English, used in casual contexts, especially among younger people or in subcultures.
I really respect that musician.
Showing polite behavior or consideration for others' feelings, rights, or customs.
Used for respecting opinions, rights, privacy, customs, etc. Focuses on acknowledging and not violating something.
It's important to respect others' opinions.
Noun meaning 'respect' or 'homage'. Often used in set phrases like 敬意を表する (to show respect).
In Japanese, showing respect is often built into the language itself through honorifics (尊敬語), humble forms (謙譲語), and polite speech (丁寧語). Using appropriate keigo is a fundamental way to express respect.
The company president has already left (respectful).
Obeying or observing rules, laws, or agreements.
The most natural verb for 'respect' in the sense of following rules or laws. Literally means 'to protect/observe'.
Let's respect the traffic rules.
He always respects his promises.
Can also be used for respecting rules or principles, but 守る is more common for concrete rules.
A sense of one's own worth or dignity.
尊敬 (sonkei) is used for admiring people. 尊重 (sonchō) is used for respecting abstract things like opinions, rights, or customs. Using 尊敬 for an opinion sounds unnatural.
English often uses 'respect' as a verb. In Japanese, the appropriate verb depends on the object. Avoid directly translating 'respect' into a single Japanese verb without considering the context.
Please respect my privacy.
He showed respect to his superior.
お名前を伺ってもよろしいですか。
May I ask your name? (humble-polite)
国際法を尊重しなければならない。
We must respect international law.
彼はプライドが高くて、謝れない。
He has too much pride/self-respect to apologize.