丁寧語

Reading

Kana: ていねいご

Romaji: teineigo

Definition

noun

1

polite language (e.g. masu, desu)

(Linguistics terminology)

Kanji

丁

Readings: チョウ、 テイ、 チン、 トウ、 チ、 ひのと

Meanings: street, ward, town, counter for guns, tools, leaves or cakes of something, even number, 4th calendar sign

寧

Readings: ネイ、 むし.ろ

Meanings: rather, preferably, peaceful, quiet, tranquility

語

Readings: ゴ、 かた.る、 かた.らう

Meanings: word, speech, language

Example Sentence

ある意味(いみ)では、丁寧語(ていねいご)は気(き)さくな雰囲気(ふんいき)を壊(こわ)す。

➥Polite language, in a sense, spoils a casual atmosphere.