1.
precious, valuable, important
Of great value and deserving of respect and protection. Used for abstract things like life, time, experiences, and sacrifices.
命は尊い。
Life is precious.
尊い経験をさせてもらった。
I was given a precious experience.
多くの尊い犠牲の上に今の平和がある。
Today's peace stands upon many precious sacrifices.
2.
noble, sacred, holy, exalted
Having a dignified, sacred, or spiritually elevated quality. Used for deities, religious figures, and things of spiritual significance.
尊い仏像に手を合わせる。
To put one's hands together before a sacred Buddhist statue.
この山は古くから尊い場所とされてきた。
This mountain has been considered a sacred place since ancient times.
修行を積んだ僧侶の姿は尊く見えた。
The figure of the monk who had undergone training appeared noble.
READING:
This word has two common readings: 尊い and 尊い. Both are correct and interchangeable, though 尊い is more common in everyday speech. The kanji 貴い can also be read the same way and has a similar meaning, though 貴い leans more toward "valuable, high-ranking" while 尊い leans toward "worthy of respect, sacred."
SLANG USAGE:
In internet and otaku culture, 尊い (often written とうとい or 尊い) is used as slang to express overwhelming admiration or emotional response to something cute, beautiful, or heartwarming — similar to English "precious" or "I can't even." This usage is very informal.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 命は尊い: life is precious
- 尊い犠牲: precious sacrifice
- 尊い教え: sacred teachings
- 尊い経験: valuable experience