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建言 (けんげん) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb
offering an opinion ; proposal ; suggestion ; advice
Used when formally or respectfully offering an opinion, suggestion, or advice to a superior, government, or organization. Often implies a constructive or advisory intent.
上じょう 司し に 新あたら しい 企き 画かく を 建けん 言げん する つもり です 。
I intend to suggest a new project to my boss.
Written forms 建けん 言げん Usage 67%
Standard kanji form for offering an opinion or proposal, especially to a superior or organization.
献けん 言げん Usage 33%
Alternate kanji form; less common and may carry a nuance of humbly offering one's words.
Kanji 献 offering, counter for drinks, present Similar words 提てい 案あん 提案 is a general, neutral term for a proposal or suggestion, while 建言 is more formal and specifically implies offering an opinion to a superior or authority.
進しん 言げん 進言 also means offering advice or an opinion to a superior, but often carries a stronger nuance of speaking up or remonstrating, whereas 建言 focuses on constructive suggestion.
Etymology Compound of 建 (けん, 'build, establish') and 言 (げん, 'word, speech'), literally 'establishing words'. The kanji 献 in the alternate form 献言 means 'offer', reinforcing the nuance of respectfully presenting an opinion.
