N1#keigo#honorifics#business#n1-grammar

Advanced Keigo Lesson 4

Mastering the use of double honorifics (nijuu-keigo) in professional Japanese contexts.

Context

The Complexity of Extreme Politeness

In high-stakes business meetings or interactions with high-ranking officials, speakers often feel the pressure to be as polite as possible. This sometimes leads to 'over-politeness,' where multiple honorific markers are stacked onto a single verb.

While double honorifics (nijuu-keigo) are technically considered grammatically incorrect by prescriptive standards, they are frequently encountered in real-world business settings. Understanding how they are formed—and why they are often avoided—is a crucial skill for N1-level proficiency.

Explanation

Understanding Double Honorifics

Double honorifics occur when a speaker combines two different honorific patterns (such as o- + -ni naru + -rareru) for the same verb.

おVerb stemになられる

This structure combines the polite 'o- + stem + ni naru' (sonkeigo) with the passive/potential suffix '-rareru,' which is also used for honorifics. The result is a 'super-polite' form that aims to emphasize respect but often sounds redundant or cluttered to native speakers.

Watch out

While common in speech, double honorifics are often criticized by language purists. In formal writing or high-level business correspondence, it is safer to use standard sonkeigo (e.g., お読みになる) rather than the double-honorific version (お読まれになられる).

Examples

Examples in Context

Observe how these forms are used to express extreme deference.

社長(しゃちょう)が資料をお読まれになられました(およまれになられました)。

The president read the documents. (Double honorific)

社長しゃちょうPresidentお読まれになられましたおよまれになられましたread (double honorific)

お客様(おきゃくさま)がこちらへお見えになられました(おみえになられました)。

The customer has arrived here. (Double honorific)

お客様おきゃくさまCustomerお見えになられましたおみえになられましたarrived (double honorific)

部長(ぶちょう)が会議室へお越しになられました(おこしになられました)。

The department manager came to the meeting room. (Double honorific)

部長ぶちょうDepartment managerお越しになられましたおこしになられましたcame (double honorific)

Which of these is the most standard, non-redundant honorific form of 'to read' (読む)?

お読まれになられる
お読みになられる
✓ お読みになる
読まれる

お読みになる is the standard, correct sonkeigo form. The others are either double honorifics or less formal.

Usage

Register and Nuance

Double honorifics are a double-edged sword: they show extreme respect, but can be perceived as 'clumsy' or 'excessive' by those who value linguistic precision.

Standard vs. Double

お読みになる

Standard sonkeigo; highly polite and correct.

お読まれになられる

Double honorific; often considered 'over-polite' or incorrect.

In a formal business email to a client, which should you prioritize?

Double honorifics to show maximum respect
✓ Standard honorifics to ensure clarity and correctness

In writing, clarity and adherence to standard grammar are preferred over the 'piling on' of honorifics.

Deep dive

Why does this happen?

The phenomenon of double honorifics is often referred to as 'kajo-keigo' (excessive honorifics).

It stems from a psychological desire to ensure the listener feels sufficiently respected. Because honorifics are complex, speakers often add extra layers to be 'safe.' However, this often results in 'kajo-keigo,' which can ironically make the speaker appear less proficient in formal Japanese.

Summary

Lesson Summary

Double honorifics involve stacking multiple honorific markers on a single verb. While common in spoken Japanese as a sign of extreme deference, they are generally avoided in formal writing in favor of standard sonkeigo.

二重敬語

にじゅうけいご

double honorifics

過剰敬語

かじょうけいご

excessive honorifics

尊敬語

そんけいご

respectful language

配慮

はいりょ

consideration