礼 means “courtesy, bow, thanks”

れい · rei

Also: salute, ceremony

On'yomi (Chinese reading): レイ, ライ

JLPT N3 · Taught in grade 3 · 5 strokes

The story

Picture a figure bent low beside an altar (礻): 礼 is the bow, and everything a bow means. お礼 is thanks, 礼儀 is manners, and 失礼します, "excuse my rudeness," is how you enter a room, leave it, or end a call.

Used in お礼 (orei, thanks), 失礼 (shitsurei, rudeness/excuse me), and 礼儀 (reigi, manners)

礼 means “courtesy, bow, thanks”

The story

More from Manners & Welcome