Translation guide
Describes a feeling or attitude of deep respect, awe, or veneration, often toward something sacred, important, or admirable. In Japanese, this is expressed through specific adjectives, verbs, and descriptive phrases that convey a sense of profound respect and humility.
To describe a person, attitude, or behavior that is deeply respectful, often with a sense of awe or veneration.
An adjective meaning 'pious' or 'devout', often used in religious contexts but can also describe a deeply respectful attitude. It conveys a sense of reverence and humility.
彼は敬虔な態度で祈りを捧げた。
He offered a prayer with a reverent attitude.
A phrase meaning 'to hold a feeling of awe/reverence'. It is used to describe a deep respect mixed with wonder or fear, often toward nature, great people, or the divine.
彼女は大自然に対して畏敬の念を抱いている。
She has a reverent feeling toward the great nature.
An adjective meaning 'respectful' or 'reverent', often describing behavior or attitude that is extremely polite and deferential. It implies a formal, almost ceremonial respect.
彼は恭しいお辞儀をした。
He made a reverent bow.
A noun phrase meaning 'feeling of reverence/adoration'. It is used to express deep respect and veneration, often toward a deity, a great person, or an ideal.
彼は師に対して崇敬の念を持っている。
He holds a reverent feeling toward his teacher.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'to feel deeply respectful/admiring', literally 'a feeling that makes one's head bow'. It conveys a sense of humble reverence toward someone's actions or character.
彼の献身的な活動には頭が下がる思いだ。
I feel reverent toward his dedicated activities.
To describe handling an object, tradition, or place with careful, respectful attention, as if it were sacred.
A phrase meaning 'to handle with care/respect'. It is used when treating something with great respect and carefulness, often in a formal or ceremonial context.
彼は古い書物を丁重に扱った。
He handled the old books reverently.
A verb meaning 'to regard as sacred/holy'. It implies a reverent attitude toward something considered inviolable or divine.
その場所は地元の人々に神聖視されている。
That place is reverently regarded as sacred by the local people.
A common phrase meaning 'to pay respect'. It can be used in a reverent context when the respect is deep and sincere.
彼らは伝統に敬意を払い、儀式を執り行った。
They performed the ceremony reverently, paying respect to tradition.
To describe a quiet, respectful atmosphere where people are deeply moved or awed.
A phrase meaning 'solemn/reverent atmosphere'. It describes a dignified, quiet setting that inspires respect and awe.
式典は厳かな雰囲気に包まれていた。
The ceremony was enveloped in a reverent atmosphere.
A phrase meaning 'quiet/reverent air'. It emphasizes the silence and respectfulness of a situation.
参列者は静粛な空気の中で祈った。
The attendees prayed in a reverent silence.
English 'reverent' is often used as an adjective describing a person or behavior. In Japanese, there is no single common adjective that covers all uses. Instead, use phrases like 敬虔な (for religious piety), 畏敬の念を抱く (for awe), or 恭しい (for formal respect). Choose based on context.
敬虔 (けいけん) implies religious devotion or deep spiritual reverence, while 恭しい (うやうやしい) emphasizes formal, polite, and deferential behavior. Use 敬虔 for faith-related contexts and 恭しい for ceremonial or highly respectful actions.