Formal Keigo Lesson 5
Mastering the advanced honorifics and humble expressions used in professional Japanese business settings.
The Business Environment
In a professional Japanese office, you are often required to speak with clients or superiors. Using standard polite language (teineigo) is a good start, but to show true professional respect, you must master the distinction between Sonkeigo (honorific) and Kenjougo (humble) verbs.
Core Honorific Structures
The core of N2-level Keigo involves replacing standard verbs with specific honorific or humble equivalents.
Watch out
Examples in Practice
Observe how the verb changes based on who is performing the action.
お客様が資料をご覧になります。
The customer will look at the document.
私が資料を拝見いたします。
I will look at the document (humble).
部長が会議室に【いらっしゃいます】。
Hint: Honorific form of 'to come' (kuru)
The department manager is coming to the meeting room.
Register and Nuance
Understanding when to apply these forms is as important as the grammar itself.
Which sentence is appropriate when speaking to a client about your own schedule?
- ✓ 明日、伺います。
- 明日、行きます。
伺います (ukagaimasu) is the humble form of 'to go/visit', which is required when speaking to a client.
Advanced Honorifics
Some verbs have unique forms that do not follow standard patterns.
Special Verb Pairs
Lesson Recap
Keigo is about managing the social distance between speakers. By using honorifics for others and humble forms for yourself, you demonstrate professionalism and respect.