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貴い (たっとい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

貴とうとい

also: とうとい

た

っ

と

い

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

i-adjective

precious; valuable; priceless

Describes something of great worth, often emotionally or intrinsically, not just monetarily. Used for life, memories, time, etc.

命いのちは何なによりも尊とうとい。
Life is more precious than anything.
この経けい験けんは私わたしにとって

とても

貴たっと

い

もの

だ

。

This experience is very valuable to me.

2

i-adjective

noble; exalted; sacred

Used for people, deeds, or things that are lofty, sublime, or worthy of reverence. Often in formal or literary contexts.

彼かれの尊とうとい犠ぎ牲せいは決けっして忘わすれられない。
His noble sacrifice will never be forgotten.
この寺じ院いんは古ふるくから尊とうとい場ば所しょとされてきた。
This temple has been regarded as a sacred place since ancient times.

Written forms

貴いUsage14%
- たっとい
  Common kanji form; often read たっとい, but also read とうとい. High frequency in news.
- とうとい
尊いUsage80%
- とうとい
  Common kanji form; often read とうとい, but also read たっとい.
- たっとい
とうといUsage5%
Kana spelling for the reading とうとい; used when the kanji is avoided or for clarity.
たっといUsage1%
Kana spelling for the reading たっとい; used when the kanji is avoided or for clarity.

Kanji

尊revered, valuable, precious
貴precious, value, prize

Similar words

大たい切せつ
大切 is the most common word for 'important/precious' in daily conversation. 尊い/貴い is more formal and carries a nuance of reverence or inherent worth.
貴き重ちょう
貴重 emphasizes rarity and high value, often for objects or opportunities. 尊い/貴い focuses more on intrinsic, often non-material, worth.

Etymology

Derived from the classical adjective 尊し/貴し (たふとし/たっとき). The kanji 尊 carries a nuance of reverence, while 貴 implies high value or nobility. The two readings とうとい and たっとい are both standard, with たっとい being a euphonic change from たふとい.