尊敬されている
sonkei sarete iru
The English word "respected" is translated into Japanese as 尊敬されている (sonkei sarete iru).
This phrase is used to describe someone who is deserving of respect.
Meaning: deserving of respect (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 尊敬されている describes the ongoing state of being a respected person, the form 尊敬される expresses the capacity or the event of being respected. For more intense levels of respect, you can use 非常に尊敬されている to mean "is highly respected" or すごく尊敬されている to mean "is greatly respected". If you wish to express deep admiration and reverence, use the formal 崇敬されている, which means "is being respected". For a version that implies the person is both respected and loved, use the formal 敬愛されている.
How do you pronounce it?
sonkei sarete iru
Did you know?
- The root of 尊敬 is the kanji 尊, which originally depicted a ritual vessel used in sacred ceremonies. This suggests that to be 'respected' is to be treated with the same reverence as a holy object.
- In Japanese culture, showing respect is often more about the 'distance' you maintain from a person than about the words themselves. Using 'respected' terms can actually create a psychological gap between you and the subject.
- While English uses 'respected' for both people and institutions, Japanese often distinguishes between 尊敬'sonkei' for people and 尊重'sonchou' for ideas, rights or opinions. Using 尊敬 for a law or a rule would sound unnatural to a native speaker.
Examples in context
- メアリーは皆から尊敬されている。Mary is respected by everyone.This sentence is useful for seeing how to say Mary is respected by everyone using 尊敬されている.Tatoeba #194779 by bunbuku, translation #31953 by CK
- 彼は社内で尊敬されている人です。He is a respected person within the company.
- 田中さんは敬愛されている先生です。Mr./Ms. Tanaka is a respected and beloved teacher.
- 彼女はその地域で崇敬されている人です。She is a respected person in that community.
- 彼は友達から尊敬されてるよ。He is respected by his friends, you know.
- 彼女はすごく尊敬されている人だよ。She is someone who is greatly respected, you know.
- あの人は敬愛されとるんやで。That person is being respected, you know (in the Kansai dialect).
- 彼はこの地域で非常に尊敬されている社長です。He is the CEO who is highly respected in this area.
- 彼は多くの人に尊敬されている。Kare wa ooku no hito ni sonkei sarete iru.He is respected by many people.
- あの教授は学生から尊敬されている。Ano kyouju wa gakusei kara sonkei sarete iru.That professor is respected by the students.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a famous teacher.
- 美咲 Misakiあの先生は本当に尊敬されているね。Ano sensei wa hontou ni sonkei sarete iru ne.That teacher is truly respected, isn't he?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、人格者として知られているよ。Un, jinkakusha to shite shirarete iru yo.Yeah, he is known as a person of great character.
- 美咲 Misaki大翔も彼のようになりたい？Hiroto mo kare no you ni naritai?Do you want to be like him, Hiroto?
- 大翔 Hirotoもちろんだよ、美咲。Mochiron da yo, Misaki.Of course, Misaki.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
