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What is the Kanji for 'Bow' and 'Salute'? | 礼

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Bow' and 'Salute', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Bow' and 'Salute' is 礼.

    kanji

    礼

    Meaning

    Bow, Salute

    Reading

    onyomiれい

    rei

    Parts

    乙Second, Latter 礻Cult (示)

    Example Word

    失礼: excuse or rude. The Japanese verbal noun '失礼 (しつれい)' has two primary meanings. The first is 'rude', referring to behavior that is impolite or disrespectful. For example: That was rude「それは失礼でした」(それはしつれいでした). The second meaning is 'excuse', often used as a polite way to apologize or take leave. For example: Excuse me, I must leave now「失礼します、もう行かなければなりません」(しつれいします、もういかなければなりません). The word is commonly used in formal and casual settings to express politeness or acknowledge a social misstep.

    Radical

    示

    Stroke Count

    5

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    3

    Frequency

    605

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 礼

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    kanji

    乙

    Meaning

    Second, Latter

    radical

    礻

    Meaning

    Cult

Words Using 礼

This kanji is used in 5 words:

    word

    礼儀

    Meaning

    Manners

    word

    儀礼

    Meaning

    Etiquette

    word

    失礼

    Meaning

    Excuse, Rude

    word

    お礼

    Meaning

    Thanks

    word

    礼

    Meaning

    Thanks

Kanji Related to 礼 Through the Part 礻

These 11 kanji contain the part 礻 as well.

    kanji

    視

    Meaning

    See, Look

    kanji

    禍

    Meaning

    Calamity

    kanji

    祈

    Meaning

    Pray

    kanji

    祖

    Meaning

    Ancestor

    kanji

    福

    Meaning

    Blessing

    kanji

    禅

    Meaning

    Zen

    kanji

    神

    Meaning

    God

    kanji

    祝

    Meaning

    Celebrate

    kanji

    社

    Meaning

    Company

    kanji

    祉

    Meaning

    Blessedness, Welfare

    kanji

    祥

    Meaning

    Auspicious

Learn the Kanji 礼

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 礼 mean?

礼 means 'Bow' and 'Salute'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Third Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N3 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.