The Japanese language is known for its intricate system of honorifics, which reflect the deep-rooted cultural values of politeness, respect, and hierarchy. Keigo (敬語), or the respectful language, is an essential aspect of this system. As a beginner learning Japanese, understanding keigo can be both fascinating and challenging. In this blog post, we will explain the concept of keigo, its importance in Japanese culture, and provide examples of different honorific forms and their usage. By the end, you should have a solid foundation of keigo to help you navigate the complexities of the Japanese language with more confidence and respect.

I. The Concept of Keigo

Keigo is a unique feature of the Japanese language, which is used to express varying levels of respect and politeness towards others. It is a system of honorifics that plays a crucial role in maintaining social harmony, highlighting the hierarchical relationships, and showing deference to people of higher status or age.

There are three main types of keigo:

• Sonkeigo (尊敬語): The respectful language used when referring to someone who is older or of higher status than the speaker.
• Kenjōgo (謙譲語): The humble language used when talking about oneself or someone from the speaker’s in-group to someone of higher status.
• Teineigo (丁寧語): The polite language used to show general politeness, commonly employed in formal situations or with people you are not familiar with.

II. The Importance of Keigo in Japanese Culture

Keigo is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture and reflects the importance of showing respect and politeness in social interactions. By using keigo, speakers can convey their intentions, maintain social harmony, and demonstrate their understanding of social hierarchy. Some of the key reasons why keigo is important in Japanese culture include:

Preservation of social harmony: Keigo helps maintain a sense of harmony and balance in social interactions by allowing speakers to show respect and deference to others.

Expression of humility: Using keigo is a way to demonstrate humility and acknowledge one’s place within the social hierarchy.

Formality and politeness: Keigo is essential in formal situations or when addressing people of higher status, as it conveys a sense of politeness and respect.

III. Examples of Keigo Honorific Forms and Their Usage

To better understand keigo and its various forms, let’s look at some common examples and their usage in different contexts.

A. Sonkeigo (尊敬語)

Sonkeigo is used to show respect towards someone who is older or of higher status than the speaker. In sonkeigo, verbs and nouns are often transformed into more respectful forms. Some examples of sonkeigo include:

おっしゃる (ossharu) – The respectful form of 言う (iu, to say). Used when talking about someone of higher status or age who is speaking.

Example: 先生がおっしゃりました (Sensei ga ossharimashita) – The teacher said.

いらっしゃる (irassharu) – The respectful form of いる (iru, to be), 来る (kuru, to come), or 行く (iku, to go). Used when talking about someone of higher status or age who is, comes, or goes somewhere.

Example: 社長がいらっしゃいます (Shachō ga irasshaimasu) – The company president is here.

召し上がる (meshiagaru) – The respectful form of 食べる (taberu, to eat) or 飲む (nomu, to drink). Used when talking about someone of higher status or age who is eating or drinking.

Example: お客様がコーヒーを召し上がりました (Okyakusama ga kōhī o meshiagari mashita) – The guest had coffee.

B. Kenjōgo (謙譲語)

Kenjōgo is used when talking about oneself or someone from the speaker’s in-group to someone of higher status, to show humility. In kenjōgo, verbs and nouns are transformed into humbler forms. Some examples of kenjōgo include:

申す (mōsu) – The humble form of 言う (iu, to say). Used when talking about oneself or someone from the speaker’s in-group when speaking to someone of higher status or age.

Example: 私が申しました (Watashi ga mōshimashita) – I said.

参る (mairu) – The humble form of 行く (iku, to go) or 来る (kuru, to come). Used when talking about oneself or someone from the speaker’s in-group when going to or coming from a place, especially when speaking to someone of higher status or age.

Example: まもなくお伺いいたします (Mamonaku oukagai itashimasu) – I will come soon.

頂く (itadaku) – The humble form of 食べる (taberu, to eat) or 飲む (nomu, to drink). Used when talking about oneself or someone from the speaker’s in-group when eating or drinking in the presence of someone of higher status or age.

Example: お弁当を頂きます (Obentō o itadakimasu) – I will have the lunchbox.

C. Teineigo (丁寧語)

Teineigo is the polite language used in formal situations or when addressing people you are not familiar with. Teineigo is characterized by the use of the polite verb form ます (masu) and the polite copula です (desu). Some examples of teineigo include:

です (desu) – The polite form of だ (da, to be) or である (de aru, to be). Used to show politeness when making statements or asking questions.

Example: これは私のペンです (Kore wa watashi no pen desu) – This is my pen.

ます (masu) – The polite verb ending. Used to show politeness when conjugating verbs.

Example: 日本語を勉強します (Nihongo o benkyō shimasu) – I study Japanese.

ください (kudasai) – The polite form of くれる (kureru, to give). Used when making polite requests.

Example: これをください (Kore o kudasai) – Please give me this.

Conclusion

Understanding keigo and its various forms is an essential aspect of learning Japanese, as it reflects the cultural values of respect, politeness, and hierarchy. While it may seem complex at first, with consistent practice and exposure to real-life contexts, you will gradually become more comfortable with keigo and its intricacies. By studying the three main types of keigo—sonkeigo, kenjōgo, and teineigo—and their usage, you will be better equipped to navigate the complexities of the Japanese language and communicate more effectively in various social situations.

As you continue your journey in learning Japanese, remember to pay attention to the nuances of keigo and observe how native speakers use honorifics in their everyday conversations. This will not only deepen your understanding of the language but also help you appreciate the richness of Japanese culture and traditions.

In conclusion, mastering keigo is an essential step for any beginner learning Japanese. By understanding the concept of keigo, recognizing its importance in Japanese culture, and familiarizing yourself with the different honorific forms and their usage, you will be well on your way to becoming a more respectful and effective communicator in the Japanese language. Keep practicing, remain curious, and enjoy the process of learning and growing in your language skills. 

がんばってください (Ganbatte kudasai) – Good luck!