N2#keigo#business#politeness#n2-grammar

Formal Keigo Lesson 4

Mastering the usage of Kenjougo (humble language) and Sonkeigo (respectful language) in complex business scenarios, focusing on the 'o-verb-ni-naru' and 'o-verb-suru' structures.

Context

Professional Communication

In a Japanese business setting, you are often required to describe your own actions humbly or elevate the actions of a client. Using standard polite forms (Desu/Masu) is often insufficient when speaking to superiors or external partners.

Imagine you are calling a client to inform them that your manager has arrived at their office. You cannot simply say 'Buchou ga kimashita.' You must use specific honorific structures to show proper professional deference.

Explanation

The Honorific Structures

We focus on two primary patterns: the Sonkeigo (Respectful) structure for others, and the Kenjougo (Humble) structure for yourself.

おVerb-stemになる/する

The 'o-verb-ni-naru' pattern is used to describe the actions of someone you respect, such as a client or a superior. It elevates their status by framing their action as something they 'become' involved in.

Conversely, 'o-verb-suru' is the humble form. By using this, you lower your own status relative to the listener, which is a sign of extreme politeness in Japanese business culture.

Watch out

This structure generally only applies to Godan verbs and some Ichidan verbs. Verbs that are already special honorifics (like 'irassharu' or 'itasu') should not be combined with this pattern.

Examples

Usage Examples

Observe how these patterns shift the focus of the sentence.

部長(ぶちょう)が資料(しりょう)をお読みになります(およみになります)。

The manager will read the documents.

部長ぶちょうmanager資料しりょうdocumentsお読みになりますおよみになりますwill read (respectful)

私(わたし)が荷物(にもつ)をお持ちします(おもちします)。

I will carry the luggage (for you).

私わたしI荷物にもつluggageお持ちしますおもちしますwill carry (humble)

Which of the following correctly uses the humble form to say 'I will wait'?

お待ちになります
✓ お待ちします
待たせていただきます
お待たせします

お待ちします follows the 'o-verb-suru' humble pattern correctly.

Usage

Nuance and Register

These patterns are strictly for formal business or high-level social interactions.

Respectful vs Humble

お読みになる

Respectful: Used for the listener/third party.

先生がお読みになる。

お読みする

Humble: Used for the speaker's own action.

私が（代わりに）お読みします。

When speaking to your own boss about a client, whose actions should you elevate?

Your own actions
✓ The client's actions
Your boss's actions
No one's actions

When speaking to your boss about an external party (client), you should use respectful language for the client.

Deep dive

Exceptions and Irregularities

Not all verbs fit the 'o-stem-suru' pattern.

Verbs that don't use this pattern

Verbs consisting of only one syllable in the stem (e.g., 'miru' -> 'mi') generally do not take 'o-'. Additionally, many 'suru' verbs use 'go-' instead of 'o-' (e.g., 'go-renraku suru').

Summary

Lesson Recap

The 'o-stem-ni-naru' and 'o-stem-suru' patterns are essential tools for navigating professional Japanese. Remember to use respectful forms for others and humble forms for your own actions.

部長

ぶちょうnoun

Department manager

資料

しりょうnoun

Documents/Materials

荷物

にもつnoun

Luggage/Package

尊敬語

そんけいごnoun

Respectful language

謙譲語

けんじょうごnoun

Humble language