Keigo — Part 1
Honorific speech fundamentals — humble, courteous, and honorific forms with common keigo vocabulary.
Note
The advanced icon has not been employed on the Keigo page because the whole page is essentially advanced.
Common Keigo Verb Forms
- Honorific equivalent of いる, 行く, and 来る.
- Used when referring to the actions of a superior or customer.
先生はどこにいらっしゃいますか。
Where are you, Sensei?
- Honorific equivalent of いる, 行く, and 来る.
- おいでください = いらしてください = 来てください.
お客様がおいでになりました。
A customer (guest) has arrived.
おいでください。
Please come.
- Honorific form meaning someone important comes or visits.
- お見えになる = いらっしゃる.
田中さんが明日お見えになるそうです。
I heard that Mr. Tanaka will be visiting tomorrow.
- Common honorific keigo for coming or going.
- Frequently used in formal invitations.
パーティーにお越しになりますか。
Will you be coming to the party?
- Used to strongly encourage or express firm intention.
ぜひいらしてください。
Please do come, by all means.
Keigo Vocabulary
Keigo Usage
Keigo is used when talking to superiors, customers, and audiences, and in formal situations. The three categories are Humble (謙譲語), which lowers the actor's actions; Courteous (丁寧語), which shows the actor's effect on a specific target; and Honorific (尊敬語), which elevates the subject's actions.
| Regular | Humble (謙譲語) | Courteous (丁寧語) | Honorific (尊敬語) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 行く | 参る | 伺う | いらっしゃる |
| 来る | 参る | いらっしゃる / おいでになる | |
| いる | おる | いらっしゃる | |
| する | いたす | なさる | |
| 言う | 申す | おっしゃる | |
| 食べる | いただく | 召し上がる | |
| 飲む | いただく | 召し上がる | |
| 見る | 拝見する | ご覧になる | |
| 見せる | お目にかける | ||
| 聞く | 伺う / 承る | ||
| 読む | 拝読する | ||
| 知る | 存じる | 存じ上げる | ご存知 |
| 会う | お目にかかる | ||
| あげる | 差し上げる | ||
| もらう | いただく | ||
| くれる | くださる | ||
| 寝る | お休みになる | ||
| 死ぬ | お亡くなりになる |
Key Keigo Principles
- HUMBLE and COURTEOUS forms always lower the actor, objects, and actions described within a sentence.
- HONORIFIC forms elevate the subject's actions.
- When talking to outsiders, use humble language for your in-group members (family, colleagues) even if they are your superiors within the group.
- ございます is the polite form of ある and is fundamental to many keigo expressions.
Humble vs. Courteous
Humble and Courteous verbs both describe actions taken by the speaker (or by someone within the speaker's group, if talking to an outsider).
Humble verbs simply describe the action in a humble manner without directly involving a specific target person. They show politeness to the listener.
田中先生のお宅に参ります。
I will (humbly) go to Tanaka-sensei's house.
Courteous verbs directly involve showing respect to a specific target person who is the object of the action.
Therefore, they cannot be used if there is no appropriate person to show courtesy toward.
田中先生のお宅に伺います。
I will (courteously) visit Tanaka-sensei's house.
Long Vowels
Long Vowels in Keigo
The honorific prefix お can combine with certain adjective stems to create elongated vowel sounds in speech. Adjectives prefixed with お this way typically describe a person or their actions, such as お美しい or お忙しい. This お prefix conveys the same respectful nuance as using keigo verbs.
よろしくお願いします
- Literal meaning: I hope that you find everything agreeable.
- Used when meeting new people or asking people to do things.
- Informally, can be shortened to よろしく.
- Often preceded by どうぞ for extra politeness.
どうぞよろしくお願いします。
Please treat me favorably. (very polite)
よろしく。
Thanks in advance. (casual)
どうぞ vs. どうか
- Polite offer which benefits the listener.
- Used when offering something or inviting action.
どうぞお入りください。
Please come in.
どうぞお座りください。
Please have a seat.
- Earnest request which benefits the speaker.
- Used when pleading for something.
どうかお願いします。
Please, I beg you.
どうか許してください。
Please forgive me.
Irregular Conjugations
Irregular Keigo Verbs
Five keigo verbs have irregular masu-form conjugations. Instead of the regular ～り to ～ります pattern, they drop the り and become ～います.
| Dictionary Form | Masu Form (Irregular) |
|---|---|
| いらっしゃる | いらっしゃいます |
| おっしゃる | おっしゃいます |
| なさる | なさいます |
| くださる | くださいます |
| ござる | ございます |
Degrees of Keigo
| Formality | 行く Example | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Casual | 行く | Plain form |
| Polite | 行きます | 丁寧語 (ます form) |
| Humble | 参ります | 謙譲語 |
| Courteous | 伺います | 丁寧語 |
| Honorific | いらっしゃいます | 尊敬語 |
Note
Honorific forms (尊敬語) are less commonly used than humble forms (謙譲語). Keigo can become redundant or even inappropriate if overused.