1.
bow
A gesture of respect made by bending the body.
礼をする。
To bow.
深い礼をして挨拶した。
I greeted them with a deep bow.
先生に礼をしてから教室を出た。
I bowed to the teacher before leaving the classroom.
試合の前に相手に礼をする。
You bow to your opponent before the match.
社長が入ってきたら礼をしてください。
Please bow when the president comes in.
2.
thanks, gratitude
An expression of appreciation.
お礼を言う。
To express thanks.
お礼に何かプレゼントを送りたい。
I want to send something as thanks.
助けてもらったお礼を忘れないでください。
Please don't forget to thank them for helping you.
お礼の手紙を書きました。
I wrote a thank-you letter.
これはお礼の気持ちです。
This is a token of my gratitude.
3.
manners, etiquette
Proper behavior and customs.
礼儀を知らない人は嫌われます。
People who don't know manners are disliked.
日本の礼を学びたいです。
I want to learn Japanese etiquette.
礼を尽くしてお願いした。
I asked with the utmost courtesy.
礼に欠ける態度だった。
It was an attitude lacking in manners.
彼は礼を重んじる人だ。
He is a person who values etiquette.
礼 has three main meanings: a physical bow, gratitude/thanks, and manners/etiquette. It is a central concept in Japanese culture, reflecting the importance of respect and proper conduct.
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 礼をする: to bow
- お礼を言う: to express thanks
- 礼を尽くす: to show the utmost courtesy
- 礼に欠ける: to lack manners
- お礼に: as thanks, in return
COMPOUNDS:
- 礼儀: manners, courtesy
- 失礼: rudeness; excuse me
- 敬礼: salute
- 無礼: rudeness, disrespect
- 礼状: thank-you letter
NOTE:
The prefix お is often added (お礼) when referring to gratitude, making it more polite. 礼をする specifically means to bow physically, while お礼を言う means to express verbal thanks.