慎つつしむ

godan verb (-mu), transitive verb

be careful; be discreet; be prudent

Used for exercising caution in speech, behavior, or decisions; often implies avoiding impropriety or offense.

• 言こと葉ばを慎つつしんでください。

  Please be careful with your words.

• 彼かれは発はつ言げんを慎つつしんだ。

  He refrained from making a statement.

godan verb (-mu), transitive verb

refrain from overdoing; do in moderation; abstain

Used for holding back on excess, such as overeating, drinking, or other indulgences. Often appears as 慎むべき or 慎みなさい.

• 酒さけを慎つつしむように言いわれた。

  I was told to cut back on alcohol.

• 甘あまいものは慎つつしんでいる。

  I'm refraining from sweets.

godan verb (-mu), transitive verb

be reverent; show respectful restraint

Only when written 謹む

Used in formal or ceremonial contexts to show deep respect, often with the kanji 謹む. Common in set phrases like 謹んでお悔やみ申し上げます.

• 謹つつしんで新しん年ねんのご挨あい拶さつを申もうし上あげます。

  I respectfully offer New Year's greetings.

godan verb (-mu), transitive verb

be purified; be chaste

Rare, archaic sense associated with ritual purity or moral chastity. Mostly found in classical or religious texts.

• 古ふるい文ぶん献けんでは、身みを慎つつしむことが清きよらかさを保たもつと説とかれている。

  In old texts, it is taught that purifying oneself maintains chastity.