矜持(きょうじ)

きょうじ
noun
pride, self-respect, dignity
formalwrittenliteraryemotion
1. pride, self-respect, professional dignity
A dignified sense of pride or self-respect, especially the kind maintained by professionals, craftspeople, or people of principle. A more literary and elevated word than 誇(ほこ)り.
職人(しょくにん)としての矜持(きょうじ)を持(も)つ。
To have pride as a craftsperson.
矜持(きょうじ)を捨(す)てて頭(あたま)を下(さ)げることはできなかった。
I could not throw away my pride and bow my head.
長年(ながねん)培(つちか)ってきた料理人(りょうりにん)の矜持(きょうじ)が、妥協(だきょう)を許(ゆる)さなかった。
The professional pride cultivated over many years as a chef would not allow any compromise.

Usage

A literary and formal word for pride. Unlike 誇(ほこ)り (general pride) or プライド (personal pride, often ego-driven), 矜持(きょうじ) carries a nuance of dignified self-respect rooted in one's profession, principles, or identity. Often used about professionals and craftspeople.

Also read きんじ in some contexts, though きょうじ is the standard modern reading.

Common collocations

Related Words

Compare: プライド (pride)
general
Added 2026.2.26 22:39 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
13500/13726_kyouji