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恐悦 (きょうえつ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
delight ; great pleasure
Formal, often humble expression of delight, typically used in set phrases like 恐悦至極 (きょうえつしごく) to express extreme gratitude or honor. Rare in modern casual speech.
賜たまわ
り
、
一いち
同どう
恐きょう
悦えつ
に
堪た
え
ませ
ん
。
We are all overjoyed by the honor of your presence.
Written forms 恐きょう 悦えつ Usage 82%
Standard kanji spelling for this formal expression of delight.
恭きょう 悦えつ Usage 18%
Alternate kanji spelling; less common than 恐悦.
Similar words 嬉うれ しい 嬉しい is the common, everyday word for 'happy' or 'glad', while 恐悦 is a very formal, humble expression of delight used in ceremonial or written contexts.
光こう 栄えい 光栄 means 'honor' and is used in similar formal situations, but 恐悦 specifically conveys a feeling of delighted gratitude, often with a humble nuance.
Etymology Compound of 恐 (fear, awe, respect) and 悦 (joy, delight). The combination suggests a respectful, humble joy, as if one is overwhelmed by the honor received. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.
