尊重する

§ What 尊重する means and how people use it

The Japanese verb 尊重する (そんちょうする – sonchō suru) means 'to respect,' 'to value,' or 'to esteem.' It's a key term for expressing respect in various contexts, from personal relationships to professional settings, and it emphasizes a deep appreciation for someone's rights, opinions, or existence.

Meaning and Nuances

尊重する implies acknowledging the worth and dignity of something or someone. It’s not just about politeness, but about genuinely valuing another's perspective or autonomy. This verb is often used when discussing human rights, cultural differences, personal feelings, or individual choices.

While similar to other verbs like 敬う (うやまう – uyamau, to revere/show respect) or 尊敬する (そんけいする – sonkei suru, to admire/look up to), 尊重する specifically focuses on the act of recognizing and upholding the value or rights of something or someone. For example, you might 尊敬する (sonkei suru) a mentor for their achievements, but you would 尊重する (sonchō suru) their opinions even if you disagree.

Here are some common situations where 尊重する is used:

• Respecting individual rights: This is a very common usage. You'll often hear it in discussions about human rights or personal freedoms.
• Valuing opinions: When you want to say that you take someone's ideas seriously, even if you don't fully agree, 尊重する is the right word.
• Esteeming different cultures: In diverse environments, expressing respect for other cultures is crucial, and 尊重する is frequently used.
• Regarding privacy: To indicate that you respect someone's personal space or private information.
• Honoring decisions: When someone makes a choice, and you support their right to make that choice, you use 尊重する.

Hint

It is important to respect each other's opinions.

Hint

She is a person who respects individual privacy.

Understanding 尊重する helps you communicate a deeper level of consideration and regard for others in Japanese. It's not just about being polite, but about acknowledging and upholding the inherent worth of individuals and their perspectives. Mastering this verb will significantly improve your ability to express sophisticated social interactions in Japanese.

§ Understanding 尊重する

Japanese Word

尊重する (sonchou suru)

CEFR Level

B1

Definition

To respect; to value; to esteem.

When you learn Japanese, words like 尊重する are important because they express nuanced feelings and actions. 尊重する means "to respect," "to value," or "to esteem." It's a common and useful verb to know.

§ How to use it in a sentence

尊重する is a verb that you'll use in similar ways to how you use "to respect" in English. It's often used when talking about respecting people, opinions, cultures, or rules. Let's break down its common patterns.

§ Basic Structure: Xを尊重する (X o sonchou suru)

The most basic way to use 尊重する is with the direct object particle を (o). This particle marks the thing or person you are respecting.

Hint

I respect his opinion.

Hint

We should respect culture.

§ Expressing Mutual Respect: 互いに尊重し合う (tagai ni sonchou shiau)

If you want to say that people respect each other, you can use the compound verb 尊重し合う (sonchou shiau). The suffix 合う (au) means "to do something to each other" or "to do together."

Hint

We respect each other.

§ Using 尊重 as a Noun: 尊重 (sonchou)

You can also use 尊重 as a noun, meaning "respect" or "esteem." In this case, it often appears with particles like の (no) or と (to).

Hint

The respect of individual freedom is important.

Hint

She is respected by everyone. (Passive voice)

§ Prepositions and Context

While English uses prepositions like "for" or "of" with "respect," Japanese often uses particles or different sentence structures to convey similar meanings. With 尊重する, the particle を (o) is your primary tool for indicating what is being respected. However, you might see other particles depending on the nuance.

• に対する (ni taisuru): This can be used to mean "towards" or "for," often when 尊重 is used as a noun or adjective.

Hint

Respect for their privacy is necessary.

Keep practicing these patterns, and you'll get comfortable using 尊重する naturally in your Japanese conversations.

Alright, let's talk about 尊重する (sonchou suru). You know the definition: 'to respect, to value, to esteem.' But where do you actually hear this word in daily life? It's pretty common, especially in formal settings, but not exclusively. This isn't a word you'd typically use with close friends, but you'll definitely come across it in many contexts.

§ In the Workplace

In a Japanese work environment, respect is a big deal. You'll hear 尊重する used when discussing company policies, team dynamics, or even personal boundaries. It's often about showing consideration for others' opinions or contributions.

Label

It's essential to respect each other's opinions when working in a team.

You might also hear it in performance reviews or when talking about how to handle customer relations. It implies a deeper level of regard than just 'listening' to someone. It's about taking their perspective seriously.

Label

Respecting customer privacy is a corporate responsibility.

§ In Educational Settings

In schools and universities, 尊重する comes up frequently. It's used when talking about student-teacher relationships, respecting diverse backgrounds, or even intellectual property.

Label

Students should respect their teachers.

It's also used in discussions about academic integrity and the importance of respecting different cultures and viewpoints within the school community.

Label

Education that respects diverse cultures is needed.

§ In the News and Public Discourse

When you're reading Japanese news or listening to discussions about societal issues, 尊重する appears often. It's used when talking about human rights, national sovereignty, or even environmental protection. It carries a weight of ethical consideration.

Label

We must respect human rights.

You'll see it in political speeches, articles on international relations, and reports on social justice. It's a key term when expressing the idea of valuing fundamental principles or the rights of groups and individuals.

Label

Respecting the sovereignty of each country leads to international peace.

§ General Usage and Nuances

Beyond these specific environments, 尊重する can be used more generally when talking about valuing someone's feelings, decisions, or culture. It's a versatile word that emphasizes a deep regard.

• A parent might say: 子供の意見を尊重する (kodomo no iken o sonchou suru) - To respect a child's opinion.

• You might hear: 個人の選択を尊重する (kojin no sentaku o sonchou suru) - To respect individual choices.

So, while it's a polite and formal term, it's not rare. Keep an ear out for 尊重する in your Japanese studies, and you'll start to notice it pop up in all sorts of important conversations and texts.

§ Respecting things vs. people

Many English speakers get confused about when to use 尊重する. In English, we say we "respect a rule" or "respect a decision." But in Japanese, 尊重する is almost exclusively used for respecting people, their opinions, their rights, or their culture. You wouldn't typically use it to say you respect an object or a general concept like a rule or a law, in the same way you might in English. For rules or laws, you'd usually use words like 守る (mamoru - to obey/follow) or 従う (shitagau - to comply with).

§ Using 尊重する for "esteem" or "value"

While 尊重する can mean "to esteem" or "to value," its nuance is stronger than simply "valuing" a thing. When you use it this way, it still carries the weight of respecting someone's inherent worth or their contribution. For example, you might say you 尊重する someone's efforts, meaning you highly value and respect the hard work they put in. However, for valuing a general object or a skill, other verbs are more natural. For example, if you want to say you value a rare book, you'd use something like 大切にする (taisetsu ni suru - to cherish/take care of) or 貴重な (kichōna - valuable/precious). You wouldn't say you 尊重する the book itself.

Hint

He respects other people's opinions.

§ Incorrectly substituting with 敬う (uyamau) or 尊敬する (sonkei suru)

You might think 尊重する is interchangeable with 敬う (uyamau - to revere/venerate) or 尊敬する (sonkei suru - to respect/admire). While they are related, there are subtle differences:

• 尊敬する (Sonkei suru): This implies admiration and looking up to someone, often due to their achievements, character, or position. You can 尊敬する your teacher or a historical figure. It’s about admiring their qualities.
• 敬う (Uyamau): This carries a stronger sense of reverence, often used for elders, deities, or highly esteemed figures. It involves showing deep respect and humility.
• 尊重する (Sonchō suru): This is about acknowledging and upholding someone's rights, opinions, or individuality, even if you don't necessarily admire them or revere them in the same way. It's about respecting their existence and choices. For example, you might not agree with someone's opinion, but you still 尊重する their right to express it.

Hint

We should respect individual freedom.

§ Overusing the polite form

Since 尊重する is a fairly formal word, some learners might be tempted to always use it with です/ます forms. While that's often appropriate, remember to use the plain form in casual conversations or when writing in a less formal context (like a diary entry or a personal blog post, if the topic itself is serious). The word itself carries formality, so you don't always need an extra layer of politeness unless the situation demands it.

§ Forgetting the particle を (o)

As a transitive verb, 尊重する almost always takes the direct object particle を (o) before the thing or person being respected. Forgetting this particle is a common grammatical mistake. Always remember: [対象] を 尊重する ([target] o sonchō suru).

Hint

We respect his privacy.

Understanding how to express "respect" in Japanese can be tricky because there are a few options. This section will help you understand when to use 尊重する (sonchou suru) and how it compares to other similar words.

§ What 尊重する (sonchou suru) means

尊重する (sonchou suru) means to respect, value, or esteem. It's a versatile verb that you can use in many situations.

Japanese Word

尊重する (sonchou suru)

Meaning

To respect; to value; to esteem.

Hint

You should respect his opinion.

Hint

It's important to respect each other's cultures.

§ 尊重する (sonchou suru) vs. 敬う (uyamau)

While both 尊重する (sonchou suru) and 敬う (uyamau) involve respect, there's a subtle difference in nuance.

• 尊重する (sonchou suru): This often implies respecting someone's rights, opinions, individuality, or cultural background. It's about acknowledging their worth and treating them fairly. It can also apply to respecting laws, rules, or nature.

• 敬う (uyamau): This carries a stronger sense of reverence, admiration, or veneration, often towards someone of higher status, older age, or greater achievement. You might use it for elders, teachers, or deities. It implies a deeper emotional respect, sometimes bordering on awe.

Hint

We should aim for a society that respects diversity. (Here, 尊重する is used for respecting an abstract concept like diversity.)

Hint

We must not forget the feeling of reverence for our ancestors. (Here, 敬う is used for showing deep respect and veneration for ancestors.)

§ 尊重する (sonchou suru) vs. 尊敬する (sonkei suru)

尊敬する (sonkei suru) is another common verb for "to respect." The difference between 尊重する and 尊敬する can also be subtle, but important:

• 尊重する (sonchou suru): As we've discussed, this is about acknowledging worth, rights, and individuality. It's a more objective form of respect.

• 尊敬する (sonkei suru): This means to admire or look up to someone for their achievements, character, or abilities. It's a more subjective and personal feeling of respect.

Hint

He is a person who respects the privacy of others. (Here, 尊重する is used for respecting a right.)

Hint

I sincerely respect (admire) his efforts. (Here, 尊敬する is used for admiring someone's efforts.)

§ Key Takeaways

• Use 尊重する (sonchou suru) when you want to express respect for someone's rights, opinions, individuality, culture, or abstract concepts like laws and nature. It's about acknowledging their value.

• Use 敬う (uyamau) when you want to show deep reverence or veneration, often towards someone of higher status or someone you look up to profoundly.

• Use 尊敬する (sonkei suru) when you want to express admiration for someone's achievements, character, or abilities. It's a more personal feeling of looking up to someone.