Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
孝悌 (こうてい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
noun
filial piety and brotherly love
A Confucian virtue combining devotion to one's parents (孝) and respectful affection toward one's elder siblings (悌). Often encountered in classical or ethical contexts.
Written forms 孝こう 悌てい Usage 22%
Standard kanji form for the Confucian concept of filial piety and brotherly respect.
孝こう 弟てい Usage 78%
Variant kanji form using 弟 (younger brother) instead of 悌 (respect for elders).
Kanji 孝 filial piety, child's respect younger brother, faithful service to elders
Similar words 親おや 孝こう 行こう 親孝行 refers specifically to filial piety toward one's parents, while 孝悌 includes both filial piety and respect for elder siblings.
孝こう 行こう 孝行 is a more common term for filial piety, whereas 孝悌 is a formal Confucian term that also encompasses brotherly love.
Etymology From Chinese 孝悌 (xiàotì), a Confucian term combining 孝 (filial piety) and 悌 (fraternal respect).
