Business Japanese – Difference between “いたす” and “させていただく”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “いたす” and “させていただく”
2. いたす
3. させていただく
4. Misuse of “させていただく”
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment
Q: Is it necessary to distinguish between “いたす” and “させていただく”?
A: Both are expressions that show respect and politeness toward others, but it is important to use them appropriately depending on the situation and context.
いたす
“いたす” is the humble form (Type I) of “する” (to do).
Humble language (謙譲語) is a type of honorific speech used to show respect to others by modestly referring to one’s own actions.
Put simply, “いたす” is used to humbly express actions that are based on one’s own will or judgment. It is used when the speaker wants to politely convey that they are taking an action on their own initiative.
[Examples]
明日、こちらからお電話いたします。
I will call you tomorrow.
それは私が確認いたしますので、ご安心ください。
I will check it myself, so please don’t worry.
社長、その片づけは私がいたします。そのままにしておいてください。
President, I will take care of the cleaning. Please leave it as it is.
A「部長、私がコピーいたします。」
B「え、本当に！助かるよ。」
A: Manager, I will make the copies.
B: Oh, really? That helps a lot!
A「だれかこの資料の作成をしてくれないかな。」
B「私がいたします。」
A: Can someone make this document?
B: I’ll do it.
させていただく
“させていただく” is a humble expression (Type II) corresponding to “する” (to do).
Grammatically, it is formed by combining the causative form (〜させる) in its て-form with “いただく”.
This expression is used to humbly convey that the speaker performs an action based on the permission, consideration, or favor of the other person.
In other words, it implies that the speaker is carrying out the action with the other person’s approval or consent.
[Examples]
A「大変恐れ入りますが、改めてご連絡させていただいてもよろしいでしょうか。」
B「わかりました。」
A: Excuse me, but may I contact you again later?
B: That’s fine.
明日の10時までに資料を提出させていただきます。
I will submit the documents by 10 a.m. tomorrow.
A「この件について、少し確認させていただいてもよろしいでしょうか」
B「大丈夫ですよ。」
A: May I check this matter with you for a moment?
B: Sure, no problem.
⇒ This is an action that requires the other person’s permission.
(After receiving the teacher’s permission to use the classroom)
先生に教室を使わせていただきました。
I was allowed to use the classroom by the teacher.
Misuse of “させていただく”
In recent years, even many native Japanese speakers find it difficult to use honorific expressions correctly. One of the most common mistakes is the misuse of phrases that combine a humble expression with “させていただく”.
Since “させていただく” is already a humble form, adding another humble verb before it results in an overly polite expression, often referred to as double keigo. This can sound unnatural and is generally considered incorrect.
[Incorrect and Correct Examples]
• 拝見する (the humble form of “to see”)
✕ いただいた資料、確かに拝見させていただきました。
〇 いただいた資料、確かに拝見しました。
I have checked the document you sent me.
• 伺う (the humble form of “to go” or “to visit”)
✕ それでは、明日そちらへ伺わせていただきます。
〇 それでは、明日そちらへ伺います。
Then, I will visit you tomorrow.
Such double keigo expressions may sound overly formal and unnatural, and they can even give a negative impression. Especially in business settings, being too polite may come across as awkward or insincere. That’s why it is important to learn and use these expressions correctly.
Summary
- “いたす” is a humble expression used to describe an action carried out based on one’s own will or judgment, expressed with modesty.
- “させていただく” is a polite expression used when the speaker performs an action with the permission, consideration, or favor of the other party.
- The combination “a humble verb + させていただく” is generally considered an excessive use of honorific language (keigo), and is often treated as an improper form called double keigo.
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A. いたします
先輩「あ、明日の歓迎会の店の予約しないと！」
後輩「私がいたします。」
Senior: “Oh, I need to book a place for tomorrow’s welcome party!”
Junior: “I’ll make the reservation.”
*Since the junior is taking the initiative, “いたします” is the correct expression.
A. 休ませていただき
部下「昨日は無理を言って、休ませていただきすみませんでした。」
上司「大丈夫ですよ。」
Subordinate: “I’m sorry for taking the day off yesterday without much notice.”
Boss: “It’s okay.”
*Because the action was done with the boss’s permission, “休ませていただき” is appropriate.
A. いたします
コピーはわたしがいたしますので、置いておいてください。
I’ll make the copies, so please just leave them here.
*The speaker is offering to act on their own decision, so “いたす” is correct.
A. いただきます
こちらのお菓子をいただきます。
I will have this snack.
* “いただく” is the humble form of “to eat,” and it is incorrect to combine multiple humble forms. “いただく” is the appropriate expression.
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