儀礼(ぎれい)

ぎれい
noun
ceremony; ritual; rite
1. ceremony; ritual; rite
ceremony; ritual; rite
宗教(しゅうきょう)儀礼(ぎれい)に参加(さんか)した。
I participated in a religious ceremony.
通過(つうか)儀礼(ぎれい)は文化(ぶんか)によって異(こと)なる。
Rites of passage differ depending on the culture.
古代(こだい)の儀礼(ぎれい)が現代(げんだい)まで受(う)け継(つ)がれている地域(ちいき)もある。
In some regions, ancient rituals have been passed down to the present day.
2. etiquette; courtesy; formality
etiquette; courtesy; formality
儀礼(ぎれい)的(てき)な挨拶(あいさつ)を交(か)わした。
We exchanged formal greetings.
外交(がいこう)では儀礼(ぎれい)を重(おも)んじることが大切(たいせつ)だ。
In diplomacy, it is important to respect etiquette.
儀礼(ぎれい)的(てき)な訪問(ほうもん)だったが、実(じつ)は重要(じゅうよう)な話(はなし)もあった。
It was a courtesy visit, but there was actually important business to discuss.

Has two related but distinct uses. In sense 1, it refers to formal ceremonies and rituals, especially religious or cultural ones. In sense 2, it means polite formality or protocol observed in social and diplomatic interactions.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 宗教(しゅうきょう)儀礼(ぎれい): religious ceremony
  • 通過(つうか)儀礼(ぎれい): rite of passage
  • 儀礼(ぎれい)的(てき)な: ceremonial, formal, perfunctory
  • 儀礼(ぎれい)訪問(ほうもん): courtesy visit

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 礼儀(れいぎ): manners, politeness — everyday personal conduct
  • 式典(しきてん): ceremony — a specific formal event
  • 儀式(ぎしき): ceremony, ritual — largely synonymous with sense 1, but more focused on the structured procedure
general
Added 2026.4.24 23:22
25000/25309_girei