Keigo

Overview

Keigo (敬語) is a set of linguistic forms in Japanese that express the speaker's respect toward the listener, the subject of the sentence, or both. It is a fundamental aspect of the language, reflecting the importance of social hierarchy and politeness in Japanese culture. Keigo is not merely a matter of vocabulary; it involves specific verb conjugations, auxiliary verbs, and set phrases that vary according to the relationship between the speaker, the listener, and the person being referred to.

The three main categories of keigo are:

• Sonkeigo (尊敬語) – Respectful language, used to elevate the status of the person being spoken about.
• Kenjougo (謙譲語) – Humble language, used to lower the speaker's own status in relation to the listener or the person being addressed.
• Teineigo (丁寧語) – Polite language, used to show general politeness to the listener, regardless of the subject.

Sonkeigo (尊敬語)

Sonkeigo is used to show respect toward the person who performs the action. It is typically used when talking about a superior, a customer, or someone you do not know well. The speaker uses special verb forms or auxiliary verbs to elevate the subject.

Common patterns include:

• お + ます-stem + になる (e.g., 読む（よむ）→ お読みになる（およみになる）)
• れる / られる (e.g., 書く（かく）→ 書かれる（かかれる）)
• Special verbs: 言う（いう）→ おっしゃる, 行く（いく）→ いらっしゃる, 食べる（たべる）→ 召し上がる（めしあがる）

Example: 先生がお書きになった本 (The book the teacher wrote)

Kenjougo (謙譲語)

Kenjougo is used to humble the speaker's own actions or the actions of someone in the speaker's in-group (e.g., family, colleagues) when speaking to someone of higher status. This elevates the listener by lowering the speaker.

Common patterns include:

• お + ます-stem + する (e.g., 届ける（とどける）→ お届けする（おとどけする）)
• ご + 漢語 + する (e.g., 連絡（れんらく）→ ご連絡する（ごれんらくする）)
• Special verbs: 言う（いう）→ 申す（もうす）, 行く（いく）→ 伺う（うかがう）, 食べる（たべる）→ いただく

Example: 私がご案内します (I will guide you)

Teineigo (丁寧語)

Teineigo is the basic polite form that uses the です and ます endings. It shows respect to the listener, regardless of the subject. It is the first form taught to learners of Japanese and is used in most everyday conversations with acquaintances, strangers, and in formal settings.

Example: これは本です (This is a book)

Teineigo also includes beautification (美化語), such as adding お or ご to certain nouns (e.g., お茶（おちゃ）, ご飯（ごはん）) to make them sound more refined.

Who Uses Which to Whom

The choice of keigo depends on the relative social status, age, and familiarity between the speaker and the listener, as well as the topic of conversation. In general:

• Superiors (目上, めうえ): Bosses, teachers, customers, elders – use sonkeigo when referring to their actions, and kenjougo when referring to your own actions toward them.
• Equals (同等, どうとう): Friends, colleagues of the same rank – usually use teineigo or casual speech, depending on closeness.
• Inferiors (目下, めした): Subordinates, younger people – you may use casual speech, but teineigo is still common in professional settings.

For example, when speaking to your boss about your own work, you would use kenjougo: 私がいたします (I will do it). When speaking about your boss's work, you would use sonkeigo: 部長がなさいます (The department head will do it).

Social Consequences of Getting It Wrong

Using keigo incorrectly can lead to social friction, embarrassment, or even offense. If you use casual speech with a superior, it may be seen as rude or disrespectful. If you overuse keigo with a close friend, it may create awkward distance. In business settings, mistakes in keigo can damage professional relationships and reflect poorly on your competence.

However, Japanese people generally understand that non-native speakers may struggle with keigo, and they often appreciate any effort to use it. Still, for advanced learners and professionals, mastering keigo is essential for smooth communication.

Common Misconception

A common misconception is that keigo is only used in formal situations. In reality, keigo appears in everyday interactions, such as speaking to a neighbor, a store clerk, or a colleague's parent. It is also used in written communication, such as emails and letters.

Related Topics

• Politeness levels in Japanese
• Honorifics in Japanese
• Japanese business etiquette