Readings: レイ (Onyomi), (Kunyomi)
Meaning: Bow, ceremony, thanks, remuneration
The kanji 礼 combines 示 (shimesu), meaning “altar” or “to show,” and 豊 (yutaka), originally depicting a vessel for rituals or an abundant harvest. Together, it represents a ritual or ceremony performed to show respect or gratitude, evolving into meanings like “bow,” “courtesy,” and “thanks.”
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 礼 is written with 5 strokes. It begins with the radical on the left (示), followed by the strokes on the right.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 示 (しめすへん) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 5 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | 4 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- レイ (rei)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- None (None)
Common Words Using 礼
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| お礼 | おれい | thanks, gratitude |
| 失礼 | しつれい | rudeness, discourtesy, excuse me |
| 礼儀 | れいぎ | manners, etiquette |
| 御礼 | おんれい | thanks, gratitude (more formal) |
| 礼拝 | れいはい | worship, adoration |
| 礼服 | れいふく | formal wear, ceremonial dress |
| 礼金 | れいきん | key money (for apartment rental) |
| 無礼 | ぶれい | impoliteness, rudeness |
| 敬礼 | けいれい | salute, bow (respectful) |
| 返礼 | へんれい | return gift, return of courtesy |
Example Sentences
Japanese: お礼を言います。
Kana: おれいをいいます。
Romaji: Orei o iimasu.
English: I will say thank you.
Japanese: 失礼します。
Kana: しつれいします。
Romaji: Shitsurei shimasu.
English: Excuse me. (used when entering/leaving a room or interrupting)
Japanese: 彼はとても礼儀正しいです。
Kana: かれはとてもれいぎただしいです。
Romaji: Kare wa totemo reigi tadashii desu.
English: He is very polite.
Japanese: 感謝の気持ちを込めてお礼を述べた。
Kana: かんしゃのきもちをこめておれいをのべた。
Romaji: Kansha no kimochi o komete orei o nobemashita.
English: I expressed my gratitude with a feeling of thanks.
Japanese: 教会で礼拝が行われる。
Kana: きょうかいでれいはいがおこなわれる。
Romaji: Kyoukai de reihai ga okonawareru.
English: Worship is held at the church.
Japanese: 結婚式には礼服を着るのが一般的です。
Kana: けっこんしきにはれいふくをきるのがいっぱんてきです。
Romaji: Kekkonshiki ni wa reifuku o kiru no ga ippanteki desu.
English: It is common to wear formal attire for weddings.
Japanese: この物件は礼金なしです。
Kana: このぶっけんはれいきんなしです。
Romaji: Kono bukken wa reikin nashi desu.
English: This property has no key money.
Japanese: そんな無礼な態度は許されません。
Kana: そんなぶれいなたいどはゆるされません。
Romaji: Sonna burei na taido wa yurusaremasen.
English: Such rude behavior is not allowed.
Japanese: 彼は上司に敬礼した。
Kana: かれはじょうしにけいれいした。
Romaji: Kare wa joushi ni keirei shita.
English: He saluted his boss.
Japanese: お祝いの返礼を送ります。
Kana: おいわいのへんれいをおくります。
Romaji: Oiwai no henrei o okurimasu.
English: I will send a return gift for the celebration.
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