貴
precious, value, prize, esteem, honor
Readings
On'yomi
- キ
Kun'yomi
- たっと.い
- とうと.い
- たっと.ぶ
- とうと.ぶ
Nanori
- きよ
- ぎ
- たか
- たかし
- よし
Meaning
貴 centers on high worth and the respect it commands: something precious, valued, or honored. The ideas of prize and esteem are natural extensions of that same sense of elevated value.
Most common words using 貴
20 of 114- 貴方あなたN5
you
- 貴方あんた
you
- 貴重きちょうN3
precious; valuable
- 貴き
your
- 貴むち
lord; god; goddess; honorific title for deities (and high-ranking people)
- 兄貴あにき
elder brother
- 貴族きぞくN2
nobility; aristocracy; peerage
- 貴様きさま
you; you bastard; you son of a bitch
- 貴女きじょ
you
- 高貴こうき
noble; high and noble; exalted
- 貴金属ききんぞく
precious metal
- 貴公きこう
you (primarily used by males when addressing their male equals or inferiors)
- 貴公子きこうし
young nobleman; scion of a noble family
- 貴殿きでん
you
- 貴婦人きふじん
lady; noblewoman
- 貴君きくん
you (primarily used by men in letters to their equals or inferiors)
- 貴社きしゃN2
your company
- 貴人きじん
aristocrat; nobleman; dignitary; person of high rank
- 貴賓きひん
noble visitor
- 富貴ふうき
riches and honours (honors); wealth and rank
Study
Etymology
貴 combines 貝 (shell, representing value or money) with a phonetic element that also suggests a basket or container, giving the idea of something valuable and worthy of respect.
Meaning mnemonic
The bottom is 貝 (shell, an old form of currency), and the top looks like a basket holding something precious. Picture a basket full of valuable shells, something to be esteemed and honored.
Reading mnemonic
For キ, imagine a precious key unlocking a treasure chest: key -> キ, and the treasure inside is highly valued.