尊敬しています
sonkei shite imasu
The phrase "I respect you" in Japanese is 尊敬しています (sonkei shite imasu).
This phrase is typically used to express deep admiration for someone's character, achievements or way of life. When addressing people in Japan, you may encounter honorifics such as sensei for a teacher or professor or sama, which is a more respectful version of san.
What does it mean word for word?
The noun 尊敬 (sonkei) means "respect" or "admiration".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you wish to be informal and speak to friends or peers, you can drop the -imasu ending to say 尊敬してる.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 尊敬しています uses the continuous aspect -te imasu to express a current, ongoing state of feeling.
How do you pronounce it?
sonkei shite imasu
What mistakes should you avoid?
While 尊敬します is grammatically correct, using the continuous form 尊敬しています is much more natural for expressing a lasting feeling of respect.
Did you know?
- Using 尊敬しています to a superior can be a social blunder. Because you are technically 'evaluating' their character, it can sound as if you are placing yourself in a position to judge them.
- Japanese differentiates between admiring a person's character 尊敬 and respecting a person's rights or opinions 尊重.
- The character 敬 found in 尊敬 is the same one used in 敬語, the entire linguistic system of honorific speech.
Examples in context
- 山田さん、私はあなたを尊敬しています。Mr./Ms. Yamada, I respect you.
- 友達、君のことを尊敬するよ。Friend, I respect you.
- すごいと思うよ。I think you're amazing.
- あなたの仕事ぶりを尊敬しています。Anata no shigotoburi o sonkei shite imasu.I respect the way you work.
- 先生のことは心から尊敬しています。Sensei no koto wa kokoro kara sonkei shite imasu.I respect you from the bottom of my heart, teacher.
Example conversation
Misaki is talking to Kenta about his hard work.
- 美咲 Misaki健太さんの努力、本当にすごいですね。Kenta-san no doryoku, hontō ni sugoi desu ne.Your effort is truly amazing, Kenta.
- 健太 Kentaそんなことないですよ。Sonna koto nai desu yo.It's not that great.
- 美咲 Misaki私は健太さんのことを尊敬しています。Watashi wa Kenta-san no koto o sonkei shite imasu.I respect you, Kenta.
- 健太 Kentaありがとうございます。嬉しいです。Arigatō gozaimasu. Ureshii desu.Thank you. I am happy to hear that.
