What is Keigo?
Keigo (敬語) is the Japanese honorific language system used to show respect, humility, and politeness. It's essential for proper social communication in Japan, reflecting the hierarchical nature of Japanese society. Keigo adjusts language based on the relationship between speaker, listener, and the person being discussed.
Regular: 食べる "eat"
Respectful: 召し上がる "eat" (respectful)
Humble: いただく "eat" (humble)
Polite: 食べます "eat" (polite)
Three Types of Keigo
尊敬語 (Sonkeigo) - Respectful Language
Purpose: Elevate others' actions
Used for: Superiors, customers, elders
先生が来る → 先生がいらっしゃる
"The teacher comes" → "The teacher comes" (respectful)
Raises status of subject
謙譲語 (Kenjougo) - Humble Language
Purpose: Lower your own actions
Used when: You do something for/to superior
私が行く → 私が参る
"I go" → "I go" (humble)
Lowers speaker's status
丁寧語 (Teineigo) - Polite Language
Purpose: Show general politeness
Used for: Polite conversation
食べる → 食べます
"eat" → "eat" (polite)
です/ます form
Basic politeness
How Keigo Works
Social hierarchy
Higher status:
- Bosses, teachers, customers
- Elders, guests
→ Use Sonkeigo for their actions
Lower status (self):
- Employee, student, service staff
- Younger person
→ Use Kenjougo for your actions
Basic politeness:
- Teineigo for general polite speech
Basic Examples
Regular vs Keigo
Regular: 言う "say"
Respectful: おっしゃる "say" (for superior)
Humble: 申す/申し上げる "say" (for self to superior)
Polite: 言います "say" (general polite)
In context
Casual: 先生、何か言った？
"Teacher, did you say something?"
Keigo: 先生、何かおっしゃいましたか。
"Teacher, did you say something?" (respectful)
When to Use Each Type
Sonkeigo (Respectful)
Boss does action:
部長が読む → 部長がお読みになる
"The director reads" (respectful)
Customer does action:
お客様が来る → お客様がいらっしゃる
"The customer comes" (respectful)
Kenjougo (Humble)
I do action for boss:
私が持つ → 私がお持ちします
"I carry" → "I'll carry (for you)" (humble)
I give to superior:
あげる → 差し上げる
"give" → "give (to superior)" (humble)
Teineigo (Polite)
General polite speech:
行く → 行きます
"go" → "go" (polite)
食べる → 食べます
"eat" → "eat" (polite)
Basic politeness layer
Combining Types
Can layer keigo
Respectful + Polite:
先生がいらっしゃいました
"The teacher came" (respectful + polite)
Humble + Polite:
私が参ります
"I will go" (humble + polite)
Multiple layers common
Common Scenarios
At work
Boss's action: Sonkeigo
部長がおっしゃいました
"The director said" (respectful)
Your action to boss: Kenjougo
私が申し上げました
"I said (to superior)" (humble)
General statement: Teineigo
会議は3時です
"The meeting is at 3" (polite)
Customer service
Customer's action: Sonkeigo
お客様がお選びになりました
"The customer chose" (respectful)
Staff's action: Kenjougo
私がご案内いたします
"I will guide (you)" (humble)
Key Principles
Direction of respect
↑ Sonkeigo: Elevate others
Subject receives respect
Their actions are elevated
↓ Kenjougo: Lower yourself
Speaker lowers own actions
Shows humility to superior
→ Teineigo: General politeness
Neutral polite form
In-group vs Out-group
Uchi (in-group) vs Soto (out-group)
Talking to outsider about your boss:
部長が言いました (not おっしゃいました)
"My director said" (lower your side)
Your company is "uchi"
Lower your own group to outsiders
Common Mistakes
Using wrong type
Wrong: 私がいらっしゃる ⚠️
(Respectful for self)
Correct: 私が参る ✓
"I go" (humble)
Match keigo type to person
Over-keigo to peers
Unnatural: 友達がいらっしゃる ⚠️
Natural: 友達が来る ✓
"Friend comes"
Don't over-keigo with friends
Learning Strategy
Start with basics
1. Learn Teineigo first (です/ます)
2. Learn common Sonkeigo verbs
3. Learn common Kenjougo verbs
4. Practice in context
Gradual progression
Why Keigo Matters
Social importance
Shows respect
Maintains harmony
Professional necessity
Cultural understanding
Essential for:
- Business
- Customer service
- Formal situations
- Daily politeness
Basic Keigo Verbs
Essential respectful
いる → いらっしゃる "be/exist"
来る → いらっしゃる/お見えになる "come"
行く → いらっしゃる "go"
言う → おっしゃる "say"
する → なさる "do"
見る → ご覧になる "see/look"
Essential humble
いる → おる "be/exist"
行く → 参る "go"
来る → 参る "come"
言う → 申す/申し上げる "say"
する → いたす "do"
見る → 拝見する "see/look"
Practice Sentences
Basic
Regular: 先生が来る
Keigo: 先生がいらっしゃる
"The teacher comes"
Regular: 私が読む
Keigo: 私が読みます (polite)
私が拝読します (humble)
"I read"
Regular: 社長が言った
Keigo: 社長がおっしゃいました
"The president said"
Intermediate
先生がこの本をお読みになりました。
とても面白いとおっしゃっていました。
"The teacher read this book (respectful).
He/She was saying it was very interesting (respectful)."
明日、私が部長のところへ参ります。
資料をお持ちいたします。
"Tomorrow, I will go to the director (humble).
I will bring the documents (humble)."
お客様がいらっしゃいました。
ご案内いたしますので、少々
お待ちください。
"The customer has arrived (respectful).
I will guide you (humble), so please
wait a moment (polite)."