N1#keigo#honorifics#business#n1

Advanced Keigo Lesson 5

Mastering the usage of double honorifics (niju-keigo) in professional settings.

Context

The Trap of Over-Politeness

In high-stakes business environments, the desire to show extreme respect can sometimes lead to 'double honorifics' (niju-keigo). This occurs when a speaker combines two different honorific forms for the same verb, inadvertently creating a grammatically incorrect or awkward phrase.

Imagine you are a junior employee speaking to a high-ranking executive. You want to ask if they have read the report. You might be tempted to say, 'Go-ran ni nararemasu ka?' While this sounds very polite, it is actually a classic case of double honorifics. Understanding why this is problematic is essential for N1-level mastery.

Explanation

Understanding Double Honorifics

Double honorifics happen when you stack multiple honorific markers on a single verb. While intended to be 'extra' polite, it is considered poor Japanese etiquette.

Honorific Verb 1+Honorific Verb 2

The rule is simple: use only one honorific form per verb. For example, do not combine the 'o-verb-ni-naru' pattern with the passive-style honorific 'rareru'. If you use 'go-ran ni naru' (to see), you have already achieved the highest level of respect; adding 'rareru' creates a redundant, clunky structure.

Watch out

Double honorifics are often perceived as a sign of linguistic incompetence rather than extreme politeness. Always aim for the standard, single-form honorific.

Examples

Examples of Correcting Double Honorifics

See how to fix common double honorific mistakes.

部長(ぶちょう)は資料(しりょう)をご覧になりましたか。

Did the manager see the document?

部長ぶちょうmanager資料しりょうdocumentご覧になるごらんになるto see (honorific)

社長(しゃちょう)がお見えになりました。

The president has arrived.

社長しゃちょうpresidentお見えになるおみえになるto arrive (honorific)

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

✓ 先生が来られました。
先生がお越しになられました。
先生がお見えになられました。

Option 1 uses a single honorific form. Options 2 and 3 combine 'o-koshi ni naru' or 'o-mie ni naru' with the passive 'rareru', creating double honorifics.

Usage

Register and Nuance

Double honorifics are strictly avoided in formal business settings. However, some common errors have become so widespread that they are occasionally heard, though they remain incorrect.

Correct vs Incorrect

おっしゃられる

Incorrect (Double: o-ssharu + rareru)

おっしゃる

ご存じになられる

Incorrect (Double: gozonji ni naru + rareru)

ご存じになる

Why should you avoid double honorifics?

They are too casual.
✓ They are grammatically redundant and sound uneducated.
They are only used in writing.
They are too short.

Double honorifics are considered a linguistic error that reflects poorly on the speaker's command of formal Japanese.

Deep dive

Exceptions and Gray Areas

Some forms that look like double honorifics are actually accepted.

Accepted 'Double' Forms

Certain expressions like 'o-kaki ni naru' (to write) are standard. However, if a word already contains an honorific prefix, adding another one is generally wrong. The Agency for Cultural Affairs has published guidelines clarifying that while some 'double' forms are becoming common, they should be avoided in formal writing and high-level business speech.

Summary

Lesson Summary

Double honorifics occur when multiple honorific markers are applied to a single verb. To maintain professional credibility, stick to standard, single-form honorifics.

二重敬語

にじゅうけいごnoun

double honorifics

ご覧になる

ごらんになるverb

to see (honorific)

お見えになる

おみえになるverb

to arrive (honorific)

おっしゃる

おっしゃるverb

to say (honorific)