謹む

つつしむ · tsutsushimu · JLPT N1 · verb-godan

to be careful

謹 = 言 (word) + 堇 (scarce): hold your words back and speak with care

The 言 radical marks speech, so 謹 is about guarding what you say and do. Formal phrases use it: 謹んで (respectfully) and 謹啓 (Dear Sir, letter opening).

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