律儀

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 律儀 is a na-adjective read りちぎ, meaning conscientious and faithful in observing promises, duties, or courtesies. It appears as 律儀な or 律儀だ.
• Basic usage: It can describe someone who always returns borrowed items or a grandmother who faithfully sends a letter on the same date every year.
  • 彼は借りた物を必ず返す律儀な人だ。 says that he is conscientious and always returns what he borrows; 祖母は毎年同じ日に手紙をくれるほど律儀だ。 says that the grandmother is so faithful that she sends a letter on the same date every year.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 律儀な人
  • な connects the adjective to 人 and describes someone who reliably honors obligations.
• 手紙をくれるほど律儀だ
  • ほど marks the extent of her faithfulness through the yearly letters.
• 律儀 and 真面目
  • 律儀 focuses on faithfully observing obligations or courtesies, while 真面目 more broadly describes a serious and diligent attitude.