Japanese 敬語 (keigo) is the grammar of respect - a full grammatical system layered on top of ordinary Japanese that expresses social hierarchy, distance, and politeness through specific verb forms and vocabulary. Unlike many languages that merely add polite particles or honorific titles, Japanese keigo changes the verb itself. There are three main categories: 丁寧語 (teineigo, polite language), 尊敬語 (sonkeigo, respectful language used to elevate the listener or referent), and 謙譲語 (kenjougo, humble language used to lower oneself). Using keigo correctly is essential in business, customer service, formal situations, and any interaction with superiors.
This reference lays out the three categories, common verb transformations, and the social situations that call for each. For the underlying verb conjugation system, see the Japanese verb conjugation u-verbs ru-verbs irregular reference. For basic verb conjugation, see the Japanese verb conjugation beginners guide. For particles in polite speech, see the Japanese particles complete reference.
The Three Categories
Table 1. The three branches of keigo.
| Category | Japanese | Function | Used to |
|---|---|---|---|
| 丁寧語 | teineigo | Polite language | Add general politeness (ます, です forms) |
| 尊敬語 | sonkeigo | Respectful language | Elevate the status of the listener or a third party referred to |
| 謙譲語 | kenjougo | Humble language | Lower the speaker or their in-group |
The three systems coexist. In a single customer interaction, a shopkeeper uses sonkeigo to describe the customer's actions, kenjougo to describe their own actions, and teineigo throughout as the polite frame.
丁寧語 (Teineigo) - Polite Language
The most basic keigo level. Achieved mainly by:
- Using the です copula instead of plain だ.
- Using ます-form verbs instead of dictionary form.
- Adding お or ご prefixes to certain nouns (お茶 ocha "tea," ご飯 gohan "rice/meal").
Table 2. Teineigo basic transformations.
| Plain | Teineigo |
|---|---|
| 行く iku (go) | 行きます ikimasu |
| 食べる taberu (eat) | 食べます tabemasu |
| 見る miru (see) | 見ます mimasu |
| ある aru (exist, inanimate) | あります arimasu |
| いる iru (exist, animate) | います imasu |
| だ da (is) | です desu |
Teineigo is the default in public situations, in class, with strangers, and in most commercial settings. It does not encode hierarchy - just "I am being polite to you."
尊敬語 (Sonkeigo) - Respectful Language
Sonkeigo elevates the listener or a third person being discussed. It is used by employees about their customers and boss, by citizens about officials, by students about teachers, and in any context where the speaker wishes to honor the subject of the action.
Formation methods:
Method 1: Special honorific verbs (used for common actions)
Table 3. Key sonkeigo verbs.
| Plain verb | Sonkeigo | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 行く iku (go) | いらっしゃる irassharu | go (honored subject) |
| 来る kuru (come) | いらっしゃる / お見えになる | come |
| いる iru (be) | いらっしゃる | be |
| 食べる taberu (eat) | 召し上がる meshiagaru | eat |
| 飲む nomu (drink) | 召し上がる | drink |
| する suru (do) | なさる nasaru | do |
| 見る miru (see) | ご覧になる goran ni naru | see |
| 言う iu (say) | おっしゃる ossharu | say |
| 知る shiru (know) | ご存じだ gozonji da | know |
All these verbs take ます forms in polite speech: いらっしゃる → いらっしゃいます.
Method 2: Regular pattern お + verb masu-stem + になる
Works for many verbs that don't have a special sonkeigo form.
- 書く (kaku) → お書きになる (okakininaru) "write" (honorific)
- 読む (yomu) → お読みになる (oyomininaru) "read" (honorific)
- 待つ (matsu) → お待ちになる (omachininaru) "wait" (honorific)
Method 3: Passive form as polite
The passive form (-reru / -rareru) is often used as a mild sonkeigo.
- 書かれる kakareru "(someone honored) writes"
- 来られる korareru "(someone honored) comes"
This is less elevated than Method 1 or 2 but still politer than plain ます-forms.
Method 4: Honorific nouns with お / ご prefixes
- お名前 onamae (your name)
- ご住所 gojuusho (your address)
- お子さん okosan (your child)
お is generally native Japanese words; ご is generally Sino-Japanese words, though exceptions abound.
謙譲語 (Kenjougo) - Humble Language
Kenjougo lowers the speaker or their in-group, making the listener implicitly higher. It's used when describing the speaker's own actions in formal contexts or when discussing what "we" (the speaker's company, family, etc.) did for the listener.
Formation:
Method 1: Special humble verbs
Table 4. Key kenjougo verbs.
| Plain verb | Kenjougo | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 行く iku / 来る kuru | 参る mairu / 伺う ukagau | humbly go/come |
| いる iru | おる oru | humbly be |
| 食べる taberu / 飲む nomu | いただく itadaku | humbly eat/drink/receive |
| する suru | いたす itasu | humbly do |
| 見る miru | 拝見する haiken suru | humbly see |
| 言う iu | 申す mousu / 申し上げる moushiageru | humbly say |
| 聞く kiku | 伺う ukagau / 承る uketamawaru | humbly ask/hear |
| 知る shiru | 存じる zonjiru | humbly know |
| あげる ageru (give) | 差し上げる sashiageru | humbly give |
| もらう morau (receive) | いただく itadaku | humbly receive |
With ます forms: 参ります mairimasu, いたします itashimasu.
Method 2: Regular pattern お + verb masu-stem + する
- 書く (kaku) → お書きする (okaki suru) "I humbly write"
- 持つ (motsu) → お持ちする (omochi suru) "I humbly hold/carry"
- 渡す (watasu) → お渡しする (owatashi suru) "I humbly hand over"
Used when the action is done for the benefit of the listener.
Contexts and Register
Table 5. When to use each.
| Situation | Default register |
|---|---|
| Close friends, family (same age) | Plain forms (no keigo) |
| Strangers, acquaintances | Teineigo (ます/です) |
| Customer service (staff to customer) | Sonkeigo (customer) + Kenjougo (self) + Teineigo throughout |
| Business email to a client | Sonkeigo + Kenjougo + Teineigo |
| Speaking with a boss | Teineigo; sonkeigo if referring to boss's actions |
| Speaking about one's own company to an outsider | Kenjougo for own people; sonkeigo for outsider |
| Speaking to an elderly person | Teineigo at minimum, often sonkeigo |
In-Group vs Out-Group
A defining principle of keigo: your own social group (uchi 内) uses kenjougo when speaking to outsiders (soto 外). In business, the same person (say, your boss) is:
- Honored with sonkeigo when your boss is speaking to you (you use sonkeigo about them).
- Lowered with kenjougo when you're speaking about them to a client (they become "our boss," part of your in-group).
Example:
- To your boss (internal): 社長がいらっしゃいました (the president arrived - sonkeigo).
- To a client, referring to your boss: 社長が参りました (our president arrived - kenjougo).
Common Polite Fixed Phrases
Table 6. Everyday polite expressions.
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| よろしくお願いします | please take care of it / nice to meet you |
| 申し訳ございません | I am deeply sorry (kenjougo) |
| お世話になっております | thank you for your continued support (business) |
| かしこまりました | certainly (kenjougo, "I understood") |
| 失礼します | excuse me (entering, leaving) |
| お疲れ様です | good work / thank you for your efforts |
| ご苦労様です | good work (only to subordinates; don't use upward) |
| 承知いたしました | understood (kenjougo) |
Common Mistakes Learners Make
- Using sonkeigo for your own actions. Sonkeigo is only for elevating others. Saying 「私がいらっしゃいます」 is wrong (sonkeigo of "go/come" for yourself).
- Using kenjougo for others' actions. Conversely, 「先生が参ります」 for your teacher's actions is wrong (humble form for an honored person).
- Mixing uchi and soto incorrectly. When speaking to an outsider about your own company, your boss becomes your in-group - use kenjougo, not sonkeigo.
- Over-applying お / ご. Not every noun takes a prefix. お車 is fine; お駐車場 is excessive.
- Saying ご苦労様です to a boss. This phrase is strictly downward. Use お疲れ様です upward.
- Forgetting to use ます-forms within keigo. Honorific verb + ます is the default in polite speech: いらっしゃいます, いたします.
- Confusing いらっしゃる's three meanings. It covers "go," "come," and "be" - context determines which.
- Using the passive for sonkeigo in writing. The passive-as-sonkeigo is fine in speech but can be ambiguous in writing.
Quick Reference Cheat Sheet
- Teineigo (polite): use ます/です; appropriate default.
- Sonkeigo (respectful): use for the listener's/referent's actions; elevate them.
- Kenjougo (humble): use for your own/your in-group's actions; lower yourself.
- Formation methods for sonkeigo/kenjougo when no special verb exists: お/ご + masu-stem + になる (sonkeigo) / する (kenjougo).
- Key phrase to memorize: いらっしゃいませ (welcome to a shop - combines honorific stem + polite imperative).
FAQ
How important is keigo in daily life?
Essential for any professional context, customer service, and formal writing. Not required among close friends or family, where plain forms dominate.
How long does it take to master keigo?
Basic teineigo: weeks. Functional sonkeigo/kenjougo: several months. Natural, spontaneous keigo: years of exposure. Japanese natives themselves often study keigo explicitly before entering the workforce.
Is there too much or over-polite keigo?
Yes - 二重敬語 (nijuu keigo, "double keigo") stacks two honorifics and sounds awkward. お召し上がりになる (both meshiagaru and ninaru) is an example. Modern style favors simpler forms.
What about men's vs women's keigo?
Historically women used more polite language. In modern Japan the differences are shrinking, but softer sentence endings (わ, かしら) and more frequent お-prefixes still mark women's speech.
When can I stop using keigo?
When the social setting relaxes: close friends, family, children. Avoid dropping it prematurely at work or with strangers; it comes across as disrespectful.
Are there regional variations in keigo?
Yes. Kansai (Osaka, Kyoto) has a distinct keigo style that can feel more ornate in some contexts. Tohoku and Kyushu dialects use different polite endings. Standard (Tokyo) keigo dominates in media.
Why do businesses train staff in keigo?
Because proper keigo is central to customer trust and respect. Mistakes reflect poorly on the business. New-hire training often includes weeks of keigo drilling.
See Also
- Japanese verb conjugation u-verbs ru-verbs irregular reference
- Japanese verb conjugation beginners guide
- Japanese particles wa ga o ni de to reference
- Japanese grammar particles complete guide
- Hiragana complete guide chart and stroke order
- Katakana complete guide
- Japanese counting numbers counters guide
- Japanese counters classifiers reference
Frequently Asked Questions
How important is keigo in daily life?
Essential in professional contexts, customer service, and formal writing. Not required among close friends or family, where plain forms dominate.
How long does it take to master keigo?
Basic teineigo takes weeks. Functional sonkeigo and kenjougo take several months. Natural spontaneous keigo takes years; Japanese natives themselves study keigo explicitly before entering the workforce.
Is there such a thing as over-polite keigo?
Yes. 二重敬語 (double keigo) stacks two honorifics and sounds awkward. Modern style favors simpler forms.
Are there differences in men's and women's keigo?
Historically yes. Modern differences are shrinking but softer endings and more frequent お-prefixes still appear more in women's speech.
When can I stop using keigo?
With close friends, family, and children. Avoid dropping it prematurely at work or with strangers - it signals disrespect.
Are there regional variations?
Yes. Kansai has a distinct ornate style; Tohoku and Kyushu dialects use different polite endings. Standard Tokyo keigo dominates in media and business.
Why do businesses train staff in keigo?
Because correct keigo is central to customer trust. Mistakes reflect on the business. New-hire training in Japan often includes weeks of keigo drilling.
