慶弔

• Reading: けいちょう
• Romaji: keichou
• Kanji breakdown: 慶 (kei) — celebration, joy; 弔 (chou) — mourn, condole
• Pronunciation: /ke.i.tɕo.ː/

Meaning

Celebrations and condolences; happy and sad occasions. A paired term covering the full range of major life events.

A formal compound used primarily in business and institutional contexts. 慶弔休暇 (keichou kyuuka) refers to special leave granted for weddings, births, funerals, or bereavements. The term treats both joyful and sorrowful events as equally significant social obligations requiring acknowledgment, reflecting Japanese cultural emphasis on proper observance of life milestones.

Examples

1. 弊社の就業規則には慶弔休暇の規定が明記されている。 Our company's work regulations explicitly set out provisions for ceremonial and bereavement leave.
2. 慶弔に関わる出費は年間を通じてかなりの金額になることがある。 Expenses related to celebrations and condolences can amount to a considerable sum over the course of a year.
3. 秘書は社長のスケジュールに慶弔関連の行事を優先的に組み込んだ。 The secretary prioritised fitting ceremonial and bereavement engagements into the president's schedule.

Usage Guide

Context: business, HR, etiquette, social obligations

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese compound of 慶 (kei, celebration, joy) and 弔 (chou, mourning, condolence). The pairing reflects a traditional worldview in which life's joyful events and sorrowful ones form a natural and inseparable cycle.

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal