1.
(archaic/literary) you; a formal and respectful second-person pronoun used between men of equal or similar rank
(archaic/literary) you; a formal and respectful second-person pronoun used between men of equal or similar rank
貴公の意見を聞きたい。
I would like to hear your opinion.
貴公もそう思うか。
Do you think so too?
貴公の武勇は遠くまで聞こえておる。
Your valor is known far and wide.
A formal second-person pronoun from the samurai class, composed of 貴 (noble/precious) and 公 (lord/public). Used between men of similar social standing. Unlike the modern hostile connotation of 貴様, 貴公 retains its polite, respectful nuance.
USAGE:
Not used in modern everyday conversation. Encountered in:
- Historical fiction and period dramas (時代劇)
- Fantasy novels and games with a feudal setting
- Anime and manga featuring samurai or noble characters
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 貴殿 — you (formal, used in official correspondence; still sometimes used in business letters)
- 貴様 — you (originally respectful like 貴公, but now hostile/insulting)
- 其方 — you (archaic, used by a superior to an inferior)
- 御主 — you (archaic/literary, samurai register)