N4Chapter 39

Introduction to Keigo (敬語)

Learning Objectives

  • Understand the three pillars of Keigo: Teineigo, Sonkeigo, and Kenjougo.
  • Learn the common 'special' respectful verbs for superiors.
  • Learn the common 'special' humble verbs for yourself.
  • Form the standard respectful and humble structures using お/ご.
N4 · Context

Welcome to the final boss of N4 Japanese: Keigo (Honorific Language). Keigo is not a different language; it is a system of respect heavily used in business, customer service, and formal society. It adjusts your language based on the social hierarchy between the speaker, the listener, and the people being talked about.

1. The Three Pillars of Keigo

To use Keigo correctly, you must visualize an invisible line between “Your Group” (Uchi - you, your family, your company) and “The Outside Group” (Soto - the customer, the boss, strangers).

  1. Teineigo (丁寧語 - Polite Language): The standard 〜ます / 〜です form. It shows general respect to the listener. Everyone uses this.
  2. Sonkeigo (尊敬語 - Respectful Language): Used to elevate the actions of someone in the Outside Group (e.g., a customer, a teacher, a boss). You NEVER use Sonkeigo for your own actions!
  3. Kenjougo (謙譲語 - Humble Language): Used to lower the actions of someone in Your Group (e.g., yourself, your inner circle) to show modesty toward the listener.

2. Special Respectful Verbs (Sonkeigo)

Many common verbs have completely different, special “Respectful” vocabulary words. You use these to describe the actions of your boss, teacher, or customer.

Standard VerbRespectful Verb (Sonkeigo)Meaning
行く / 来る / いるいらっしゃるTo go / come / be
食べる / 飲む召し上がる (meshiagaru)To eat / drink
言うおっしゃるTo say
するなさるTo do
見るご覧になる (goran ni naru)To see
知っているご存知だ (gozonji da)To know

社長は明日、東京へいらっしゃいます。

shachou wa ashita, toukyou e irasshaimasu.

The company president will go to Tokyo tomorrow.

先生はもうお弁当を召し上がりました。

sensei wa mou obentou o meshiagarimashita.

The teacher has already eaten the bento.

[!WARNING] Verbs ending in ‘aru’ in Keigo (いらっしゃる, おっしゃる, なさる, くださる) conjugate irregularly in the ます-form. The ‘ru’ becomes an ‘i’. Therefore: いらっしゃいます, おっしゃいます.

3. Special Humble Verbs (Kenjougo)

If YOU (or your in-group) are doing the action for or toward someone higher up, you use completely different “Humble” verbs to lower yourself.

Standard VerbHumble Verb (Kenjougo)Meaning
行く / 来る参る (mairu)To go / come
いるおるTo be (animate)
食べる / 飲む / もらういただくTo eat / drink / receive
言う申す / 申し上げる (mousu / moushiageru)To say
するいたすTo do
見る拝見する (haiken suru)To see
会うお目にかかる (ome ni kakaru)To meet

私は田中と申します。来週、そちらへ参ります。

watashi wa Tanaka to moushimasu. Raishuu, sochira e mairimasu.

I am called Tanaka (humble). I will go there next week (humble).

先生のメールを拝見しました。

sensei no meeru o haiken shimashita.

I saw (humbly) the teacher's email.

4. The Standard Keigo Formulas (お / ご)

If a verb doesn’t have a “special” vocabulary word, you use standard formulas. We attach お (o) to native Japanese verbs (kun’yomi) and ご (go) to Chinese-origin noun-verbs (on’yomi).

Standard Respectful Formulation (Elevating the other person)

お + [Verb stem] + になる (For Japanese origin verbs) OR ご + [Noun] + なさる (For Chinese origin verbs)

  • 帰る ➔ お帰りになる (Respectful return)
  • 読む ➔ お読みになる (Respectful read)
  • 案内する ➔ ご案内なさる (Respectful guide)

Standard Humble Formulation (Lowering yourself)

お + [Verb stem] + する / いたす OR ご + [Noun] + する / いたす

  • 待つ ➔ お待ちします / お待ちいたします (I humbly wait)
  • 連絡する ➔ ご連絡します / ご連絡いたします (I humbly contact you)

Contextual Dialogue

Let’s see an intense display of customer service Keigo at a department store.

At the Department Store (デパートにて)
C
Clerk

いらっしゃいませ！本日は何をお探しですか。（探す ➔ お探しですか）

Irasshaimase! Honjitsu wa nani o osagashi desu ka.

Welcome! What are you looking for today? (Respectful)

C
Customer

コートを探しています。あれを見せてください。

Kooto o sagashite imasu. Are o misete kudasai.

I am looking for a coat. Could you show me that one?

C
Clerk

かしこまりました。すぐにお持ちいたします。（持つ ➔ お持ちいたす）こちらのブランドはお召しになったことがありますか。（着る ➔ お召しになる）

Kashikomarimashita. Sugu ni omochi itashimasu. Kochira no burando wa omeshi ni natta koto ga arimasu ka.

Certainly. I will bring it right away. (Humble) Have you ever worn this brand? (Respectful)

C
Customer

いいえ、知りません。

Iie, shirimasen.

No, I don't know it.

C
Clerk

さようでございますか。では、私からご説明いたします。（説明する ➔ ご説明いたす）

Sayou de gozaimasu ka. Dewa, watashi kara gosetsumei itashimasu.

I see. Then I will explain it. (Humble)

Chapter Summary

Key Takeaways
  • 1Teineigo is polite language (〜ます/です).
  • 2Sonkeigo elevates the actions of superiors (Never use for yourself!). Key verbs: いらっしゃる, 召し上がる, おっしゃる.
  • 3Kenjougo lowers your own actions to show modesty to superiors. Key verbs: 参る, いただく, 申す, いたす.
  • 4Form standard Sonkeigo with お〜になる.
  • 5Form standard Kenjougo with お〜する / いたす.

Knowledge Check

Test your understanding of Keigo!

🧩

Quiz

1 / 15

What is the primary difference between Sonkeigo and Kenjougo?