noun
Refers to honor, glory, or prestige, often in formal or literary contexts. Commonly appears in compounds like 栄光 (glory) and 栄誉 (honor).
彼は国のために戦い、栄を手にした。
He fought for his country and gained glory.
栄を求めるよりも、正しいことをしたい。
Rather than seeking honor, I want to do what is right.
noun
Archaic noun meaning prosperity or flourishing. In modern Japanese, this sense is mostly found in classical texts or set phrases.
古い文献では、国の栄を願う言葉が見られる。
In old documents, one can find expressions wishing for the prosperity of the country.
名誉 is the standard modern word for 'honor' or 'prestige', whereas 栄 is more literary and often appears in compounds.
The kanji 栄 is composed of 木 (tree) and 火 (fire) with a crown-like element, suggesting brightness or flourishing. The reading えい is the on'yomi, used in many compounds. The standalone noun usage is relatively rare in modern Japanese.