Readings: キ (Onyomi), とうと.い, たっと.い, たっと.ぶ (Kunyomi)
Meaning: Noble, esteemed, precious, valuable
The character 貴 (kì) is an ideogrammic compound (会意字 – kaii-ji). It combines 貝 (bèi – shell, ancient currency, implying value) and 𠔿 (zhī), which is a corrupted form of 丮 (jǐ), an ancient form of 執 (zhí – to hold, to grasp). The original meaning was “to hold valuable shells,” thus “valuable, expensive, noble.”
View JLPT N1 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The stroke order for 貴 starts with the vertical stroke on the left, followed by the top horizontal strokes, then the internal components, and finally the bottom ‘貝’ radical. It’s crucial to follow the correct sequence for balanced and legible writing.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 貝 (かい – shell/money) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 12 |
| JLPT Level | N1 |
| Grade | S (Jouyou Kanji) |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- キ (Ki)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- とうと.い (tōto.i)
- たっと.い (tatto.i)
- たっと.ぶ (tatto.bu)
Common Words Using 貴
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 貴族 | きぞく | noble; aristocrat |
| 貴重 | きちょう | precious; valuable |
| 高貴 | こうき | high rank; noble; aristocratic |
| 尊貴 | そんき | noble; honorable |
| 貴社 | きしゃ | your company (polite) |
| 貴金属 | ききんぞく | precious metals |
| 貴賓 | きひん | distinguished guest |
| 貴公子 | きこうし | young nobleman; prince |
| 貴台 | きだい | you (respectful, formal) |
| 貴国 | きこく | your country (respectful) |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 尊い | とうとい | precious; sacred; noble; invaluable |
| 貴い | たっとい | noble; valuable; sacred |
| 貴ぶ | たっとぶ | to value; to esteem; to revere; to respect |
Example Sentences
Japanese: その絵は美術館で最も貴重な展示品の一つです。
Kana: そのえはびじゅつかんでもっともきちょうなてんじひんのひとつです。
Romaji: Sono e wa bijutsukan de mottomo kichō na tenjihīn no hitotsu desu.
English: That painting is one of the most valuable exhibits in the museum.
Japanese: 彼は代々続く貴族の出身だ。
Kana: かれはだいだいづくきぞくのしゅっしんだ。
Romaji: Kare wa daidai tsuzuku kizoku no shusshin da.
English: He comes from a long line of nobility.
Japanese: 生命の尊さを常に心に留めておきましょう。
Kana: せいめいのとうとさをつねにこころにとどめておきましょう。
Romaji: Seimei no tōtosa o tsune ni kokoro ni todomete okimashō.
English: Let’s always keep the preciousness of life in mind.
Japanese: お客様は弊社の貴賓としてお迎えいたします。
Kana: おきゃくさまはへいしゃのきひんとしておむかえいたします。
Romaji: Okyaku-sama wa heisha no kihīn to shite omukae itashimasu.
English: We will welcome our guests as distinguished visitors to our company.
Japanese: 貴金属は世界中で価値が認められています。
Kana: ききんぞくはせかいじゅうでかちがみとめられています。
Romaji: Kikinzoku wa sekaijū de kachi ga mitomerarete imasu.
English: Precious metals are recognized for their value worldwide.
Japanese: 古い文化を貴ぶ心は大切です。
Kana: ふるいぶんかをたっとぶこころはたいせつです。
Romaji: Furui bunka o tattobu kokoro wa taisetsu desu.
English: It is important to have a heart that values old cultures.
Japanese: 貴社の製品にはいつも感銘を受けております。
Kana: きしゃのせいひんにはいつもかんめいをうけております。
Romaji: Kisha no seihin ni wa itsumo kanmei o ukete orimasu.
English: I am always impressed by your company’s products.
Japanese: 彼女は高貴な生まれでありながら、とても謙虚な人です。
Kana: かのじょはこうきなうまれでありながら、とてもけんきょなひとです。
Romaji: Kanojo wa kōki na umare de ari nagara, totemo kenkyo na hito desu.
English: Despite her noble birth, she is a very humble person.
Japanese: この地域の自然は、私たちにとって貴い財産です。
Kana: このちいきのしぜんは、わたしたちにとってたっといざいさんです。
Romaji: Kono chiiki no shizen wa, watashitachi ni totte tattoi zaisan desu.
English: The nature in this region is a precious asset to us.
Japanese: その国王は国民に尊貴な存在として敬われている。
Kana: そのこくおうはこくみんにそんきなそんざいとしてうやまわれている。
Romaji: Sono kokuō wa kokumin ni sonki na sonzai to shite uyamawarete iru.
English: That king is revered by his people as a noble presence.
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