Sonkei is the Japanese word for ‘respect’, explained

What does “sonkei” mean in Japanese?

Native speakers say “sonkei” to mean ‘respect’ in Japanese. Perhaps, some Japanese learners know this word as it is sometimes used in Japanese movies, novels, manga, anime, and the like. In this blog post, however, I will explain this word in detail based on its kanji expression. And also, I will explain its verb form, “sonkei suru”, which means ‘to respect’ in Japanese. My explanations would help Japanese learners to understand these two words more clearly. Then, let’s get started!

Contents

• Definition and meaning of “sonkei”
• Sonkei in kanji
  • Example #1: how to say “respect” in Japanese
• Sonkei suru: the verb form
  • Example #2: how to say “to respect” in Japanese
• Summary

Definition and meaning of “sonkei”

Let me start with the definition and meaning of “sonkei”.

• sonkei – 尊敬 (そんけい) : a noun meaning ‘respect’ in Japanese.

Native speakers use this noun to refer to a feeling of admiration in Japanese. So, its usage is similar to that of the English noun, I think.

The definition and meaning are very simple and clear. To understand this noun more clearly, however, let me explain its kanji characters in detail, one by one.

Sonkei in kanji

The kanji expression of “sonkei” consists of the following two characters:

• 尊 : a kanji character widely used to mean dignity.
• 敬 : a kanji character widely used to mean respect or the act of respecting.

From these two kanji characters, we can understand that “sonkei” literally means ‘dignity and respect’ in Japanese. This kanji concept sounds a bit too gorgeous, I think. Still, it is in line with the meaning, ‘respect’.

When we meet new kanji expressions, we should check their kanji characters in detail to understand their meanings clearly and deeply. In many cases, kanji characters tell us a lot about meanings of words they form. Actually, here, we could get the better understanding of “sonkei” through the detailed kanji check above.

Then, let me explain how to use “sonkei” through the example sentence below.

Example #1: how to say “respect” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• boku – 僕 (ぼく) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese. This is mainly used by boys and young males.
• wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works after “boku” to make the subject in the sentence.
• kanojo – 彼女 (かのじょ) : a pronoun meaning ‘she’ in Japanese.
• ni – に : a case particle used to say to whom an action is directed. In the example, this is used after “kanojo” to say for whom “boku” has a feeling of respect.
• no – の : a case particle used to join two nouns. Normally, the first one can work as a modifier to describe the second. In the example, this is used to join “sonkei” and “kimochi”. The formed phrase literally means ‘a feeling of respect’ in Japanese. Word orders in Japanese and English are different, but the role of this case particle is similar to that of the English preposition, “of”.
• kimochi – 気持ち (きもち) : a noun meaning ‘feeling’ in Japanese.
• wo – を : a case particle used to make the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after “sonkei no kimochi” to make the object in the sentence.
• mot – 持っ (もっ) : one conjugation of the verb, “motsu”, which means ‘to have’ in Japanese. It has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
• te – て : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its te form. In the example, this is used after “mot” to make its te form, “mot te”. Verbs need to be changed to their te forms to be connected with “iru”.
• iru – いる : an auxiliary verb used to express the continuity of the action described by the preceding verb. In the example, this is used after “mot te” to express the continuity of its action, ‘to have’.

This is a typical usage of “sonkei”. In this example, it works as a part of the noun phrase, “sonkei no kimochi”, which means ‘a feeling of respect’ in Japanese. When we want to say “respect” in Japanese, anyway, this noun is a very good option.

Sonkei suru: the verb form

So far, I’ve explained the definition and meaning of “sonkei” and how to use it through the example sentence. Next, let me explain its verb form.

• sonkei suru – 尊敬する (そんけいする) : a verb meaning ‘to respect’ in Japanese.

“Suru” is added at the end. Normally, it works as a verb to mean ‘to do’, ‘to perform’, or such in Japanese. When it follows a noun, however, it can work to make the verb form of the preceding noun. In this case, therefore, it can work to make the verb form of “sonkei”.

Then, let me explain how to use this verb through the example sentence below.

Example #2: how to say “to respect” in Japanese

Below are the new words and particle used in the example sentence.

• watashi – 私 (わたし) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese.
• tachi – 達 (たち) : a suffix used after a noun or pronoun to make its plural form. In the example, this is used after “watashi” to make its plural form, “watashi tachi”, which means ‘we’ in Japanese. Learn more about Japanese plural.
• kono – この : a determiner used before a noun which refers to a thing close to the speaker. In the example, this is used before “shounen” to say “this boy” in Japanese.
• shounen – 少年 (しょうねん) : a noun meaning ‘boy’ in Japanese.

This is a typical usage of “sonkei suru”. When we want to mean ‘to respect’ in Japanese, this verb is a very good option.

Summary

In this blog post, I’ve explained the definition and meaning of “sonkei” in detail based on its kanji expression. And also, I’ve explained its verb form. Let me summarize them as follows.

• sonkei – 尊敬 (そんけい) : a noun meaning ‘respect’ in Japanese. These two kanji characters literally mean ‘dignity and respect’. This kanji concept sounds a bit too gorgeous. Still, it is in line with the meaning, ‘respect’.
• sonkei suru – 尊敬する (そんけいする) : a verb meaning ‘to respect’ in Japanese.

Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.