欠礼(けつれい)

けつれい
noun
omission of courtesy; failing to send greetings
1. omission of courtesy; failing to send greetings
A failure or omission of an expected courtesy. Most commonly refers to not sending New Year's cards (年賀状(ねんがじょう)) because one is in mourning (喪中(もちゅう)). The verb is 欠礼(けつれい)する.
喪中(もちゅう)のため欠礼(けつれい)します。
I will refrain from greetings due to mourning.
欠礼(けつれい)のお知(し)らせを出(だ)す。
to send a notice of omitted greetings
今年(ことし)は父(ちち)が亡(な)くなったので、年賀(ねんが)の欠礼(けつれい)をお詫(わ)びします。
As my father passed away this year, I apologize for omitting New Year's greetings.

Often used in the set phrase 欠礼(けつれい)状(じょう) (or 欠礼(けつれい)葉書(はがき)), the postcard sent in late autumn to tell people one will not send 年賀状(ねんがじょう) this year because of a death in the family.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 欠礼(けつれい)状(じょう): card announcing omitted greetings
  • 年賀(ねんが)欠礼(けつれい): omission of New Year's greetings
  • 喪中(もちゅう)欠礼(けつれい): omission of greetings during mourning

USAGE:
A polite, formal word; 欠礼(けつれい)する means to forgo an expected courtesy.

general
Added 2026.6.22 10:45
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