The key difference lies in the direction of the action: "respectful" describes your behavior toward others, while "respected" describes how others treat you.
Here's a breakdown:
Respect vs. Respected
| Feature | Respect/Respectful | Respected |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Showing admiration, high regard, and consideration. | Held in high regard; admired. |
| Direction | Your behavior towards others. | How others treat you. |
| Example (using information from reference) | "He is always really respectful to his boss." | "She is a respected leader in the community." |
Deeper Explanation
- Respect/Respectful: This is an action you take. It's about demonstrating courtesy, consideration, and valuing another person's worth, opinions, and feelings.
- Example: Children being respectful to their elders. (as stated in the provided reference).
- Example: Treating a coworker with respect, even if you disagree with them.
- Respected: This is a state of being. It's the result of earning the admiration and high regard of others through your actions, character, and contributions.
- Example: A doctor who is respected by their patients.
- Example: A teacher who is respected by their students.
In essence, being respectful is something you do, while being respected is something you earn. The first is an active choice in your interactions, and the second is a consequence of your character and actions over time. The provided reference ("'Respectful' is about YOUR behaviour to others… Whereas 'being respected' is about how THEY treat YOU !31-Jan-2019") clearly highlights this distinction.
