丁寧

ていねい

Polite, courteous, careful, thorough

N4na-adjective·teinei

How to remember it

丁 (careful) + 寧 (tranquil) = gentle, attentive courtesy in speech and action.

Example sentences

  • 彼は丁寧な言葉を使います。

    かれはていねいなことばをつかいます。

    He uses polite language.

  • 先生は丁寧に説明してくれました。

    せんせいはていねいにせつめいしてくれました。

    The teacher explained it carefully for me.

Usage

Used with に as an adverb (ていねいに); the antonym 粗末 means 'rough.'

Related words

丁寧語礼儀親切粗末

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