Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| マナー | manā | |
| 礼儀 | reigi | [ɾe̞ːɡʲi] (narrow) |
| 作法 | sahō | [sa̠ho̞ː] (narrow) [sa̠kɯ̟ho̞ː] (narrow) |
| エチケット | echiketto |
The term refers to the forms to be observed in social or official life. In daily life, people often use the phrase マナー違反 to describe a breach of manners or someone behaving rudely. Depending on whether you are discussing moral courtesy, ritualized procedures or specific social rules, different Japanese terms are appropriate.
Which one should you use?
The forms differ based on the specific nuance of etiquette being described. マナー is the most common way to refer to social manners in daily conversation. エチケット is a direct loanword used for specific social rules, such as table etiquette. 作法 is used for specific, ritualized procedures or the proper way of doing things, such as in martial arts or tea ceremonies. 礼儀 refers more to the internal sense of courtesy or the moral principle of politeness rather than just outward social rules.
How do you pronounce it?
manā
Did you know?
- Despite being a loanword, エチケット is sometimes used specifically to refer to 'breath etiquette', such as using mints or masks to avoid bothering others with bad breath.
- Japanese etiquette distinguishes between 内 'inside' and 外 'outside', meaning the level of politeness and the words used change depending on whether someone is a member of your social group.
- In Japanese business culture, the etiquette of exchanging business cards, known as 名刺交換, involves a complex set of rules regarding the height and angle at which the card is held.
Examples in context
- それはエチケットの問題だ。It's a matter of etiquette.This sentence is useful for showing how to use エチケット to describe a matter of etiquette.Tatoeba #205533 by bunbuku, translation #42778 by CM
- 「お茶会」は茶道の伝統の作法に則って行われます。The 'tea ceremony' is held in accordance to traditional etiquette of tea making.This sentence shows how to use 作法 when referring to the traditional etiquette of tea making.Tatoeba #11794383 by terrywallwork, translation #11794385 by terrywallwork
- 社交界での 行儀 は非常に重要です。Good manners are highly important in high society.
- 礼儀 を重んじることは日本文化の一部です。Respecting etiquette is part of Japanese culture.
- 結婚式では特に 作法 に気をつけましょう。Pay extra attention to etiquette during weddings.
- 友達との間でも マナー を守るべきです。We should uphold manners even among friends.
- 食事のマナーを学びたいです。Shokuji no manā o manabitai desu.I want to learn dining etiquette.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing how to behave at a formal dinner party.
- 陽葵 Himari海外では食事のマナーが厳しいのかな？Kaigai de wa shokuji no manā ga kibishii no kana?I wonder if dining etiquette is strict overseas?
- 健太 Kenta国によってマナーは全然違うよ。Kuni ni yotte manā wa zenzen chigau yo.Etiquette is completely different depending on the country.
- 陽葵 Himari健太さんはマナーに詳しいの？Kenta-san wa manā ni kuwashii no?Kenta, are you knowledgeable about etiquette?
- 健太 Kentaいや、少し調べただけだよ。Iya, sukoshi shirabeta dake da yo.No, I just looked it up a little.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “etiquette” translations and entries マナー, 礼儀, 作法, エチケット, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
