儀 礼(ぎれい)

ぎれい

noun

ceremony; ritual; rite

1. ceremony; ritual; rite

A fixed set of formal actions performed on an occasion such as a coming-of-age, a wedding or a funeral.

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

Politeness shown because custom requires it rather than because one feels it, as in 儀礼的(ぎれいてき)な挨拶(あいさつ).

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

Related Words

Compare: 礼儀(れいぎ) (manners, politeness)

Compare: 式典(しきてん) (ceremony)

Compare: 儀式(ぎしき) (ceremony, ritual)

general

Added 2026.4.24 23:22 · Revised 2026.10.3 3:19

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