noble · precious

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is き, and the kun readings are たっとい, とうとい, たっとぶ, and とうとぶ. It has 12 strokes and relates to preciousness and nobility.
• Basic usage: 貴い is read とうとい, and 貴重 is read きちょう.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 貴い / 貴重
  • 貴い means precious or noble. It is an i-adjective read とうとい. It is a formal word for something intrinsically precious or morally noble, such as life or an aspiration.
  • 人の命は何ものにも代えがたく貴い。 means “Human life is precious beyond measure.”
  • 貴重 means valuable or precious. It is a na-adjective read きちょう. It describes something scarce or practically valuable, such as materials, resources, or time.
  • 旅先で貴重な資料を見せてもらった。 means “I was able to see valuable materials during the trip.”