Business Japanese – Basics of Keigo②
Table of Contents
1. Basics of Keigo
2. Honorific and Humble Language
3. Special Verbs①
4. Special Verbs②
5. Summary
6. Similar Articles
7. Comment
Q: Are there many verbs that do not fit the basic keigo pattern, such as “食べる → 召し上がる”?
A: In honorific and humble language, there are not only the forms “お・ご～になる” and “お・ご～する”, but also verbs that undergo special changes in their form. However, the number of such verbs is not very large, so it is best to practice repeatedly to remember them.
Honorific and Humble Language
Honorific language (尊敬語) is used to show respect for the actions or state of a superior or the main subject of a conversation, elevating their actions.
On the other hand, humble language (謙譲語) is used to lower one’s own or an in-group member’s actions or state, thereby showing respect to the other party.
[Example of Honorific Language]
社長、コーヒーを召し上がりますか。
President, would you like to have some coffee?
⇒ “召し上がる” is the honorific form of “飲む” (to drink), elevating the president’s action.
[Example of Humble Language]
おいしいコーヒーをいただきました。
I had some delicious coffee.
⇒ “いただく” is the humble form of “飲む” (to drink) and “もらう” (to receive), lowering the speaker’s action to show respect.
For those who want to learn more about honorific and humble language,
please check this article
Special Verbs①
The following verbs have special forms in both honorific and humble language.
| Verbs | Honorific Language | Humble Language |
| する (to do) | なさいます されます | いたします させていただきます |
| いる (to exist, to be) | いらっしゃいます おいでになります | おります |
| 来る (to come) | いらっしゃいます おいでになります お越しになります お見えになります | 参ります 伺います |
| 行く (to go) | いらっしゃいます おいでになります | 参ります 伺います |
| 見る (to see, to watch) | ご覧になります | 拝見します |
| 言う (to say) | おっしゃいます | 申します 申し上げます |
| 知っている (to know) | ご存知です | 存じております 承知しております |
| 知らない (to not know) | ご存知ではありません | 存じません 存じ上げません |
| 食べる・飲む (to eat, to drink) | 召し上がります | いただきます |
| あげる (to give) | くださいます | 差し上げます |
[Examples]
お客様、パンフレットをご覧になりますか。
Sir, would you like to take a look at the brochure?
⇒ Elevates the action of the customer (a superior person).
御社のウェブサイトを拝見しました。
I had the honor of viewing your company’s website.
⇒Lowers the action of the speaker (oneself).
Special Verbs②
These verbs have special forms only in humble language.
| Verbs | Honorific Language | Humble Language |
| 座る (to sit) | お掛けになります | 座らせていただきます |
| 聞く (to listen, to hear) | お聞きになります | 伺います 拝聴します |
| 読む (to read) | お読みになります | 拝読します |
| 会う (to meet, to see) | お会いになります | お目にかかります |
| 分かる (to understand) | お分かりになります | かしこまります 承知します |
| もらう・受け取る (to receive) | お受け取りになります | いただきます 頂戴します 賜ります 拝受します |
| 伝える (to convey) | お伝えになります | 申し伝えます |
[Examples]
社長、こちらの椅子におかけください。
President, please have a seat here.
⇒ “おかけになる” is the honorific form of “座る” (to sit), and “おかけください” is its polite request form. It elevates the action of the other person and expresses respect.
こちらに座らせていただいてもよろしいでしょうか。
May I have your permission to sit here?
⇒ “座る” does not have a special humble form, but “座らせていただく” is commonly used when seeking permission for one’s own action.
Summary
- Keigo has basic forms such as “お・ご～になる” (honorific) and “お・ご～する” (humble), but some verbs have special forms.
- Verbs that have special forms in both honorific and humble language include “する” (to do), “いる” (to be), “来る” (to come), “行く” (to go), “見る” (to see), and “言う” (to say).
- Verbs that have special forms only in honorific language include “座る” (to sit), “聞く” (to listen/ask), “読む” (to read), and “会う” (to meet).
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