Describes a formal, respectful, and sometimes overly polite manner. Often used in social or business contexts where decorum is emphasized.
Refers to a close, often affectionate relationship; can imply sexual intimacy. This sense is somewhat literary and less common in everyday speech.
He greeted the guests with a courteous manner.
I was annoyed by his politely rude way of speaking.
The two have had an intimate relationship for many years.
superficially polite but actually rude; rude under a veneer of politeness
polite and courteous; exceedingly respectful
overdone politeness; feigned politeness
Standard kanji spelling; both characters are relatively rare but this compound is the conventional written form.
Kana spelling is sometimes used when the kanji are considered difficult or when the word is used in a more casual context.
The word is composed of two kanji meaning 'courteous' and 'sincere', reflecting its original sense of heartfelt politeness. The extended meaning of intimacy likely developed from the idea of close, sincere relations.