Meaning and Usage
The word 激励 (げきれい) means "encouragement" or "motivation." It is a formal noun often used in contexts where someone is giving support or motivation to others, such as teachers encouraging students or colleagues supporting each other.
Common Contexts
激励 is frequently used in professional, academic, or social settings where encouragement is given to boost morale or inspire effort. It often appears in written communication like letters, emails, or speeches.
Collocations and Patterns
- 激励の言葉 (げきれいのことば): words of encouragement
- 激励する (げきれいする): to encourage or motivate (verb form)
- 激励を受ける (げきれいをうける): to receive encouragement
Register and Nuance
激励 is polite and somewhat formal. It is less casual than 励ます (はげます), which also means "to encourage." Use 激励 when you want to express a respectful or official tone.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 激励 with 励ます. Remember that 激励 is a noun and often used in formal contexts, while 励ます is a verb used more casually. Also, 激励 is often paired with 言葉 or メッセージ to specify the form of encouragement.