Perceive the three Kinds of Keigo for Respectful Japanese Speech


Being well mannered in Japanese is as straightforward as understanding primary verb conjugations and realizing when to make use of honorifics, however do you know there’s one other tier of ritual past “well mannered?” Japanese keigo is a further fashion of speech inside the Japanese language reserved for formal conditions while you need to depart an incredible impression. Nonetheless, it’s not sufficient to know the phrases themselves—you’ll want to grasp what you’ll be able to say to whom and why. 

This information demystifies the three classes of keigo beneath, together with the related verbs, nouns, and examples. Between the charts and etiquette suggestions, you’ll have all of the instruments essential to be well mannered {and professional} when talking in Japanese

What does keigo imply?

In Japanasese, Keigo (敬語) actually means “respectful language,” and it consists of the phrases, expressions, and grammar that make up formal speech. It’s additionally known as “honorific” language, however it’s to not be confused with Japanese honorific suffixes that perform as titles. This fashion of speech is taken into account by most to be superior, requiring additional dedication to grasp.

In a latest survey of 500 individuals working in an enhancing division at a Japanese web site, greater than 80% mentioned realizing the best way to use keigo is important, however solely 21.8% had confidence of their potential to make use of it. In one other survey, solely 12% of the 1,000 individuals surveyed mentioned they’d confidence of their use of keigo. So, if keigo appears difficult to you, don’t fear: You’re in good firm with native audio system and Japanese language learners alike.

Like with any talent, utilizing formal Japanese is one of the best ways to develop proficiency. Strive discovering a dialog companion or a Japanese tutor to apply with.

What are the three forms of keigo?

There are three forms of keigo which are used based mostly on the scenario: sonkeigo (尊敬語) to indicate respect for others, kenjōgo (謙譲語) to be humble about your self, and teineigo (丁寧語) for basic politeness. It’s potential—and even doubtless—to make use of all three in the identical dialog relying on who’s speaking to whom.

  • Sonkeigo: To check with a boss, professor, buyer, or different particular person and their actions that the speaker needs to precise excessive respect for
  • Kenjōgo: To speak about your self and your actions (or these of individuals in your group) when chatting with somebody you’re exhibiting excessive respect for 
  • Teineigo: Utilized in well mannered dialog, even when sonkeigo or kenjōgo will not be getting used

For instance, image your self at an annual work get together. In case you have been to introduce your partner to your boss, you’d use kenjōgo when telling your boss who they’re. Conversely, you’d use sonkeigo to introduce your boss to your partner.

When do you utilize keigo?

Keigo is primarily utilized in enterprise and formal conditions, so that you’re unlikely to come across it typically. Nonetheless, it makes a wonderful impression when used appropriately and on the proper time, so it’s value having even a rudimentary understanding of it.

It’s additionally very straightforward to fall into the entice of utilizing an excessive amount of keigo. Be careful for these overuses of formal Japanese language:

  • Utilizing sonkeigo and kenjōgo amongst friends is often pointless. The well mannered verb conjugations and phrases utilized in teineigo are sometimes present in normal Japanese, so they’re acceptable in virtually each social scenario. 
  • When conjugating Japanese verbs, compounding extra formal conjugations on prime of a verb that’s already particular to keigo isn’t essential.
  • If somebody tells you that you just don’t want to make use of keigo with them, respect their needs and hearken to them.

Sonkeigo: Displaying respect in Japanese

Sonkeigo is used to indicate respect or deference to a different particular person. This could embrace your professor, your boss, or a buyer. 

It’s important to do not forget that these guidelines apply to the particular person or individuals you’re respecting. When utilizing the phrases and conjugations on this part, be sure they’re referring to a different particular person’s actions and never your individual!

Honorifics

One of many important parts of sonkeigo is utilizing a Japanese honorific when referring to the particular person being revered. These titles—much like Mr. or Ms.—go on the finish of an individual’s identify. Somewhat than calling somebody “Miss Takeda,” you would possibly name them “Takeda-san.” Conveniently, nearly all of honorifics are gender impartial and can be utilized for anybody no matter age.

There are nuances and particular conditions to every of those honorifics, which might trigger some confusion. In case you aren’t certain which one to make use of, san is often the most secure choice.

JapaneseRomanizationUse
~さん-sanbasic signal of respect
~様-samaextremely respectful, typically utilized in official correspondence 
~殿-donoextremely respectful, primarily utilized in work contexts towards clients or greater degree coworkers
~氏-shiextremely formal, supposed for strangers
先生senseitrainer; physician; knowledgeable
先輩senpaiolder classmate at college or in an extracurricular exercise

Verbs

Sure verbs in sonkeigo use completely completely different phrases than normal Japanese. Fortunately, they typically comply with the identical conjugation guidelines. As a result of verbs are one of many core Japanese components of speech, remember to commit these to reminiscence to make use of them successfully.

SonkeigoCustomary JapaneseEnglish
いらっしゃる irassharuいる ・来る・行く iru; kuru; ikuto be/exist; -ing; to come back; to go
召し上がる meshiagaru食べる・飲む taberu; nomuto eat; to drink
くださる kudasaruくれる kureruto present (to the recipient from the particular person being revered)
おっしゃる ossharu言う iuto say
ご覧になる goran ni naru見る miruto see; to look at
ご存じです gozonji desu知る shiruto know
なさる nasaruする suruto do

For all different verbs, there’s a easy components to vary the dictionary type to the sonkeigo type. Do not forget that the “verb stem” is the a part of the phrase that goes earlier than masu in masu-form Japanese verb conjugation.

  • o [verb stem] ni naru(お [verb stem] になる)

In some circumstances, the o turns into go as an alternative. Typically talking, if the phrase is predicated on native Japanese sounds (kun’yomi, 訓読み), it makes use of o. If the phrase is predicated on borrowed Chinese language sounds (on’yomi, 音読み), the prefix go is used as an alternative.

SonkeigoCustomary JapaneseEnglish
お読みになる oyomi ni naru読む yomuto learn
お使いになる otsukai ni naru使う tsukauto make use of
ご到着になる gotōchaku ni naru到着する tōchaku suruto reach

Examples of sonkeigo in Japanese

Keigo makes use of the identical grammar construction as normal Japanese, so the one factor you’ll want to vary is the phrases used. The topic nonetheless goes at first of the sentence and the verb nonetheless goes on the finish.

4 of the particular verbs utilized in sonkeigo have irregular conjugations. As an alternative of the ultimate ru sound changing into ri or being dropped completely as is typical, the ultimate ru turns into i. You possibly can see this in motion in these instance sentences utilizing sonkeigo.

  • Sensei wa hanashite irasshaimasu.(先生は話していらっしゃいます。)= The professor is talking.
  • Yamamoto-san wa raigetsu amerika ni ryokō nasaimasu.(山本さんは来月アメリカに旅行なさいます。)= Mr. Yamamoto is touring to america subsequent month.
  • Nan to osshaimashita ka?(何とおっしゃいましたか?)= What did you say?
  • Kaite kudasaimasu ka?(書いてくださいますか?)= May you write it down for me?

Kenjōgo: Being humble in Japanese

The other of sonkeigo, kenjōgo is used to talk humbly about your self and your actions. Identical to how you should keep away from referring to your self with respectful language, it’s disrespectful to make use of humble language to check with individuals you imply to talk extremely of.

You don’t use honorifics in kenjōgo, however this chart reveals particular verbs to recollect.

KenjōgoCustomary JapaneseEnglish
伺う ukagau来る・行く kuru; ikuto come back; to go
おる oruいる iruto exist; -ing
頂く itadaku食べる・飲む・貰う taberu; nomu; morauto eat; to drink; to obtain
申し上げる mōshiageru言う iuto say
拝見する haiken suru見る miruto see; to look at
お目にかかる o me ni kakaru会う auto satisfy
存じる zonjiru知る・思う shiru; omouto know; to assume
かしこまる・承知する kashikomaru; shōchi suru分かる wakaruto grasp
いたす itasuする suruto do

For all different verbs, there’s one other components to vary the dictionary type to the kenjōgo type. It’s similar to the one utilized in sonkeigo, so be sure to’re utilizing the proper type for the best scenario.

  • o [verb stem] suru(お [verb stem] する)

Identical to with sonkeigo, if a phrase makes use of kun’yomi (native Japanese sounds) it usually makes use of the o prefix. If a phrase makes use of on’yomi (borrowed Chinese language sounds), it often makes use of the go prefix.

KenjōgoCustomary JapaneseEnglish
お願いする onegai suru願うnegauto request; to want
お勧めする osusume suru進める susumeruto advocate
ご案内する goannai suru案内する annai suruto information

Examples of kenjōgo in Japanese

Though combining a number of strategies of keigo is mostly discouraged, the kenjōgo verb for “to do” (itasu) can be utilized as an alternative of the usual phrase (suru) to create extra formal sentences. The that means is identical, however utilizing itasu provides additional nuance.

  • Odenwa shimasu.(お電話します。)= Odenwa itashimasu.(お電話いたします。)= I’ll name you.
  • Shitsurei shimasu.(失礼します。)= Shitsurei itashimasu.(失礼いたします。)= Please, excuse me.

Some phrases in kenjōgo sound like frequent Japanese expressions, and that’s as a result of they arrive from the identical phrase. Politeness is a giant a part of Japanese tradition, so many on a regular basis phrases have their origins in formal language.

  • Mō ippai itadakimasu.(もう一杯頂きます。)= I’ll take yet one more glass.
  • Yoroshiku onegai shimasu.(よろしくお願いします。)= Please.; Thanks upfront.

Teineigo: Talking politely in Japanese

Teineigo is utilized in many forms of speech in Japanese as a result of it merely means “well mannered language.” It’s utilized in sonkeigo to indicate respect, however you’ll additionally hear it in regular, on a regular basis conditions when persons are talking a bit extra formally out of politeness relatively than utilizing slang or different informal speech.

Verbs

The verb conjugation used for teineigo is the masu-form that pervades Japanese language studying. In case you’ve realized the best way to change a verb from its dictionary type to a conjugation that ends in masu or mashita, that’s teineigo!

Nonetheless, the phrase for “to exist (inanimate)” requires particular consideration. When utilizing it within the context of keigo, the phrase gozaru replaces aru, and it conjugates into gozaimasu. Sound acquainted? This phrase seems in numerous Japanese greetings, together with the phrases for “thanks” (arigatō gozaimasu, ありがとうございます) and “good morning” (ohayō gozaimasu, おはようございます).

Teineigo (masu-form)Dictionary KindEnglish
行きます ikimasu行く ikuto go
食べます tabemasu食べる taberuto eat
言います iimasu言う iuto say
見ます mimasu見る miruto see; to look at
知ります shirimasu知る shiruto know
します shimasuする suruto do
ございます gozaimasuある・ござる aru; gozaruto exist (inanimate)

Nouns

Some teineigo nouns are used every day, whereas others belong in additional particular contexts. Just like the distinction between sonkeigo and kenjōgo, the additional well mannered phrases in teineigo ought to usually be reserved for the individuals you’re respecting and never for your self or these in your individual group or household. For instance, you’d check with your individual father as chichi (父) and your professor’s father as otōsama (お父様).

Phrases utilizing kun’yomi (native Japanese sounds) sometimes begin with the o prefix, whereas phrases utilizing on’yomi (borrowed Chinese language sounds) sometimes begin with the go prefix. It’s value remembering that these prefixes can’t simply be added to any Japanese noun to make it well mannered. When doubtful, test a dictionary for the reply or go with out the prefix.

TeineigoCustomary JapaneseEnglish
お父様 otōsama父 chichifather
お母様 okāsama母 hahamom
ご主人様 goshujinsama夫 ottohusband
奥様 okusama妻 tsumaspouse
ご住所 gojūsho住所 jūshotackle
ご返事 gohenji返事 henjiresponse
ご上司 gojōshi上司 jōshiboss
ご注文 gochūmon注文 chūmonorder
お名前 onamae名前 namaeidentify
お寿司 osushi寿司 sushisushi
お水 omizu水 mizuwater
お酒 osake酒 sakealcohol; Japanese rice wine

Examples of teineigo in Japanese

When assembly somebody for the primary time, a specific amount of politeness is anticipated. Take a look at the best way to ask somebody’s identify on this instance sentence.

  • Onamae wa nan desu ka?(お名前は何ですか?)= What’s your identify?

Whereas teineigo is utilized in formal contexts, you may as well hear it utilized in locations like Japanese eating places. 

  • Gochūmon wa?(ご注文は?)= What’s your order?

A proper various to desu is de aru (である). When utilizing this type in keigo, it’s typically conjugated and turns into de gozaimasu.

  • Senen de gozaimasu.(千円でございます。= That will probably be 1,000 yen, please.

Utilizing keigo in work emails

Writing sturdy emails utilizing Japanese keigo is a talent unto itself. When writing to friends or coworkers that report back to you, guidelines are much less strict. Nonetheless, when writing to superiors (particularly these excessive above you, like your boss’s boss’s boss) or to people who find themselves older, masterfully using sonkeigo to indicate respect whereas additionally humbling your self with kenjōgo goes a great distance. 

Listed below are a number of pointers about the best way to write work emails in Japanese:

  • As an alternative of utilizing basic honorifics like san, you should utilize the particular person’s job title because the suffix. 
  • Bear in mind to by no means use an honorific for your self. As an alternative, solely introduce your self in an e mail along with your first and final identify. If the e-mail goes to somebody outdoors the corporate, it’s best to embrace your organization identify as effectively.
  • Work emails in america will be very temporary and get on to the topic of the e-mail. Against this, Japanese work emails typically embrace an introduction with one or a number of greetings that may specific gratitude to the recipient or apologize for taking on their time.
JapaneseRomanizationEnglish
~課長~kachōpart chief (often a supervisor of a group)
~部長~buchōdivision chief (often a basic or senior supervisor)
~御中-onchūaddressing a bunch of individuals, equivalent to [department]onchū
〇〇株式会社の✕✕と申します。~kabushiki gaisha no ~ to mōshimasu.That is [name] at [company name].
〇〇の件、いかがでしょうか?~no ken, ikaga deshō ka?How is [topic] progressing?
この方向で進めてください。Kono hōkō de susumete kudasai.Let’s proceed with this.
よろしくご査収ください。Yoroshiku gosashū kudasai.Please verify.
かしこまりました。Kashikomari-mashita.I perceive.; OK.
ご無沙汰しております。Gobusata shite orimasu.It has been a while since we final spoke.; Please forgive my delayed response.
お手数ですが、〇〇していただけますでしょうか?Otesū desu ga, ~shite itadakemasu deshō ka?Sorry to trouble you, however might you please [request]?
お疲れ様です。Otsukare sama desu.Thanks in your onerous work.
よろしくお願いいたします。Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.Thanks very a lot upfront.
お世話になっております。Osewa ni natte orimasu.I’m in your debt.; Thanks for all that you just do.
恐縮ですが、〇〇。Kyōshuku desu ga, ~Pardon me, however ~. 
申し訳ありません。Mōshiwake arimasen.Excuse me.; I’m very sorry.

Develop into a keigo professional in skilled conditions

Many individuals contemplate keigo to be tough, however it’s an essential facet of the Japanese language, particularly in case you intend to dwell or work in Japan. Even in case you solely go to for a short time, you’ll hear sonkeigo from workers at a comfort retailer directed at clients (such as you!) and also you’ll use it your self in on a regular basis greetings and expressions.

Prepared to start out working towards? Discovering a dialog companion is good, however in case you select to study keigo by yourself, doing so whereas checking your pronunciation is an efficient plan. Keigo conjugations and phrases will be considerably longer than you’re used to, which makes them a mouthful. By utilizing Rosetta Stone’s TruAccent speech recognition engine, you’ll wow native audio system along with your clean pronunciation and mastery of one of many greatest language challenges in Japanese. 

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *