貴
Meanings
your (honorific)
Honorific prefix attached to nouns referring to the addressee or their group, e.g., 貴社 (your company), 貴殿 (you, formal). Used in formal writing and business correspondence.
I wish your company continued success.
high rank or status (prefix)
Prefix indicating elevated social standing, often in fixed compounds like 貴公子 (young nobleman) or 貴族 (aristocrat). Not freely productive in modern Japanese.
See also: 貴公子
The 貴 in 貴公子 indicates high social status.
dear, beloved (suffix)
Suffix expressing affection and respect, typically attached to terms for older male relatives or mentors, e.g., 兄貴 (older brother, with affection), 親父貴 (old man, affectionate). Often used in informal or familial contexts.
See also: 兄貴
Big bro, I need to talk to you about something.
Expressions
- 富貴浮雲riches and honors are fleeting
- 山高きが故に貴からずdon't judge a book by its cover