N2#keigo#business#honorifics#n2

Formal Keigo Lesson 3

Mastering the advanced honorifics (Sonkeigo) and humble forms (Kenjougo) used in professional business settings.

Context

A Professional Encounter

You are at a high-stakes meeting with a client. You need to confirm if they have received the documents you sent earlier. Using standard polite Japanese (Teineigo) is safe, but to show true professional respect and build rapport, you must use the correct honorific (Sonkeigo) and humble (Kenjougo) structures.

You

しりょうをおおくりいたしましたが、ごかくにんいただけましたでしょうか。

資料をお送りいたしましたが、ご確認いただけましたでしょうか。

I sent the documents; have you been able to confirm them?

Explanation

The Mechanics of Respect

To elevate the listener, we use Sonkeigo (Respectful). To lower ourselves, we use Kenjougo (Humble).

おVerb stemになる / する

The お + stem + になる pattern is the standard way to create respectful forms for Godan and Ichidan verbs. It frames the action as something the listener is performing, which elevates their status.

Conversely, お + stem + する (or いたす for extra humility) is used for your own actions. By 'humbling' your action, you indirectly show respect to the person you are speaking to.

Watch out

Do not use these patterns with verbs that already have special irregular honorific forms, such as 'iku' (to go), which becomes 'irassharu' (respectful) or 'mairu' (humble).

Examples

Practical Usage

See how these patterns apply in common business scenarios.

社長(しゃちょう)がお読みになります(およみになります)。

The president will read it.

社長しゃちょうcompany presidentお読みになりますおよみになりますwill read (respectful)

私(わたし)がご案内いたします(ごあんないいたします)。

I will guide you.

私わたしIご案内いたしますごあんないいたしますwill guide (humble)

Which sentence correctly uses the humble form for 'to wait'?

お待ちになります
✓ お待ちいたします
お待たせします

お待ちいたします uses the humble pattern (お + stem + する/いたす) to describe your own action of waiting.

Usage

Nuance and Register

Understanding when to use these forms is as important as the grammar itself.

These forms are strictly for business or formal social settings. Using them with friends or family will sound cold, sarcastic, or confusing.

Politeness Levels

読みます

Standard polite (Teineigo)

本を読みます。

お読みになります

Respectful (Sonkeigo)

先生がお読みになります。

When should you use Sonkeigo?

When talking about your own actions
✓ When talking about a superior's actions
When talking to a close friend

Sonkeigo is used to elevate the actions of the person you are speaking to or a third party you wish to show respect toward.

Deep dive

Advanced Exceptions

Some verbs don't follow the standard 'o-stem' rule.

Verbs with special forms

Some common verbs have unique honorifics that replace the 'o-stem' pattern entirely. For example, 'taberu' (to eat) becomes 'meshiagaru' (respectful) or 'itadaku' (humble). Always check if a special verb exists before applying the general rule.

Summary

Lesson Recap

Mastering the 'o-stem' patterns allows you to navigate professional Japanese with confidence. Remember: Sonkeigo elevates others, Kenjougo humbles yourself.

確認

かくにんnoun

confirmation

案内

あんないnoun

guidance

社長

しゃちょうnoun

company president

資料

しりょうnoun

materials/documents