Meaning and Usage
"尊敬" (そんけい) means respect, reverence, or honor. It is used to express admiration or high regard for someone or something.
Common Contexts
You often see "尊敬" when talking about respecting elders, teachers, or people with authority. It also appears in the term "尊敬語" which refers to honorific language used to show respect in Japanese.
Collocations and Patterns
- 尊敬する: to respect someone
- 尊敬の念: a feeling of respect
- 尊敬語: honorific speech
Nuances
Using "尊敬" implies a sincere and formal respect, often in social or professional contexts. It is more formal than casual words like "すごい" or "かっこいい" which express admiration but not necessarily respect.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "尊敬" with "敬意" (けいい), which also means respect but is more abstract or formal. "尊敬" is more personal and direct, often used for people you admire or look up to.