N1#keigo#honorifics#business#n1

Advanced Keigo Lesson 6

Mastering the complex structure of double honorifics (nijū keigo) in high-stakes business and formal communication.

Context

The Complexity of Formality

In high-level business settings, speakers often attempt to be as polite as possible. However, there is a fine line between 'polite' and 'over-polite' or 'incorrect'.

Imagine you are speaking to a high-ranking executive. You want to show extreme respect, so you combine multiple honorific forms. You might say, 'O-irassharareru' (おっしゃられる). While your intention is to be respectful, this is actually considered a grammatical error known as 'double honorifics' (nijū keigo). Understanding when to stop adding honorific layers is the mark of a true N1-level speaker.

Explanation

What is Double Honorifics?

Double honorifics occur when two or more honorific forms are applied to the same verb or noun, creating a redundant and often grammatically incorrect expression.

お/ご尊敬語～れる/られる

The core rule is: one verb, one honorific expression. If you use a special honorific verb (like 召し上がる), you do not need to add the passive-form honorific (～れる/られる). Adding both results in 'nijū keigo', which sounds unnatural and clumsy to native speakers.

Watch out

Avoid 'おっしゃられる' (o-ssharareru). Since 'おっしゃる' is already the honorific form of '言う', adding '～られる' creates a double honorific. Use 'おっしゃる' instead.

Examples

Correcting the Layers

Observe how to simplify redundant honorifics into standard, correct forms.

社長(しゃちょう)が来られます。

The president is coming.

社長しゃちょうPresident来られるこられるcome (honorific)

社長がおっしゃいました。

The president said.

おっしゃるおっしゃるsay (honorific)

部長が召し上がりました。

The manager ate.

召し上がるめしあがるeat/drink (honorific)

Which of these is grammatically correct?

おっしゃられる
✓ おっしゃる
おっしゃるられる
おっしゃりになる

おっしゃる is the correct honorific form. The others are examples of double honorifics or incorrect conjugation.

Usage

Nuance and Register

Double honorifics are often born from a desire to be 'extra polite', but they actually degrade the quality of your Japanese.

Correct vs. Incorrect

おっしゃる

Correct: Standard honorific

社長がおっしゃる。

おっしゃられる

Incorrect: Double honorific

社長がおっしゃられる。

Why should you avoid double honorifics?

They are too short
✓ They are considered grammatically incorrect and clumsy
They are only for written documents
They are too casual

Double honorifics are viewed as a lack of mastery over the language, making the speaker sound unprofessional.

Deep dive

Exceptions and Gray Areas

Some forms that look like double honorifics are actually accepted in specific contexts.

There is a concept called 'kashō keigo' (excessive honorifics). While 'o-ssharareru' is universally rejected, some expressions like 'o-kaki-ni-naru' (writing) are widely accepted even though they combine a prefix and a suffix. This is because they have become fixed idioms in business Japanese.

Summary

Lesson Recap

Double honorifics (nijū keigo) occur when multiple honorific markers are applied to the same word. To maintain professional Japanese, use only one honorific form per verb. Accuracy is more important than adding layers of politeness.

二重敬語

にじゅうけいごnoun

double honorifics

尊敬語

そんけいごnoun

honorific language

過剰敬語

かじょうけいごnoun

excessive honorifics

誤用

ごようnoun

incorrect usage