1.
polite, courteous, civil
Showing careful politeness and respectful manners. Can be used positively for genuine courtesy, but often appears in the phrase 慇懃無礼 describing overly polite behavior that is actually rude.
慇懃な態度で接する。
To treat someone with polite manners.
慇懃無礼な対応だった。
The response was outwardly polite but actually rude.
彼は慇懃に挨拶した。
He greeted courteously.
慇懃すぎて逆に不快だ。
It's so excessively polite that it's actually unpleasant.
慇懃 describes careful politeness and respectful manners. However, it is most frequently encountered in the four-character compound 慇懃無礼.
Key expression:
- 慇懃無礼 (outwardly polite but actually rude/condescending)
Usage:
- 慇懃な + noun (polite, courteous)
- 慇懃に + verb (courteously, politely)
Nuance:
- When used alone, can be positive (genuinely courteous)
- In 慇懃無礼, describes a particular kind of rudeness disguised as excessive politeness
Related words:
- 丁寧: polite, careful (more common)
- 礼儀正しい: well-mannered
- 恭しい: respectful, reverential