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awe, respect

JLPT N2 Grade 6 12 strokes
Kun'yomi
うやま.う
On'yomi
ケイ・キョウ

敬 means "awe, respect". It is a JLPT N2 kanji written in 12 strokes. It is read うやま.う in native Japanese words (kun'yomi) and ケイ・キョウ in compounds (on'yomi). Japanese schoolchildren learn it in grade 6.

Stroke order & writing

Stroke-order and animation sources are on our credits page.

敬 in example sentences

  • から

    Kokoro kara sonkei suru.

    I really respect you.

  • Sonkei suru yo, tomu.

    I respect you, Tom.

  • ます

    Nihongo ni wa keigo ga arimasu.

    The Japanese language has honorific expressions.

Example sentences from the Tatoeba Project, CC-BY 2.0 FR, licensed for reuse.

Words that use 敬

Common questions

What does the kanji 敬 mean?
敬 means "awe, respect". It is a JLPT N2 kanji.
How many strokes does 敬 have?
敬 is written in 12 strokes.
How is 敬 read?
It is read うやま.う in native Japanese words (kun'yomi) and ケイ・キョウ in compounds (on'yomi).
What JLPT level is 敬?
敬 is a JLPT N2 kanji.