Japanese meaning of 親しき仲にも礼儀あり

Reading:
したしきなかにもれいぎあり (shitashiki naka ni mo reigi ari)

English Translation:

Familiarity breeds contempt (if boundaries are not kept)

Meaning & Cultural Context

Meaning:


Even close relationships require courtesy and boundaries.

Cultural Context:


Matches Japanese etiquette around honorifics, gift-giving, and personal space; cited in workplace “nomikai” and shared-living rules.

Grammar & Learning Points

Grammar Point

• 親しき仲 (shitashiki naka) = “close relationship” (noun phrase)
• にも (nimo) = particle に (“in/within”) + も (“also/even”)
• 礼儀 (reigi) = “courtesy/manners” (noun)
• あり (ari) = classical form of ある (aru, “to exist”)
Noun phrase + にも + noun + あり structure, indicating that even in close relationships, certain things exist.

Trap for English Speakers

Might be taken as actually enforcing stiff formality among close friends; it’s about keeping boundaries and respect.

Example

Basic Example

仲が良くても、親しき仲にも礼儀ありを忘れてはいけない。

Even with close friends, one must remember that familiarity breeds contempt if boundaries are not kept.


Applied Example

長年の相棒でも、親しき仲にも礼儀ありだ。

Even long-time partners need to remember—familiarity breeds contempt.