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Kotomora

貴

precious, value, prize, esteem, honor

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · grade 6FrequencyTop 1,000Strokes12

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

Explore all words using 貴 →

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.