{"id":176590852,"date":"2018-08-06T13:00:04","date_gmt":"2018-08-06T20:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lingq.com\/blog-new\/?p=176590852"},"modified":"2025-05-19T11:28:00","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T18:28:00","slug":"japanese-honorifics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lingq.com\/blog\/japanese-honorifics\/","title":{"rendered":"Japanese Honorifics: How To Act Polite in Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"

Politeness can be a very big issue in Japan, and the Japanese language displays this. Japanese honorifics can be fairly complex and to fully go over the system is very much beyond the capabilities of this single article. It is recommended that you have a fair knowledge of Japanese grammar before delving too deeply into the Japanese honorific system, but I will still try to be somewhat \u201cbeginner-friendly\u201d as I attempt to explain various important points concerning the honorific system. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Japanese Honorific System<\/b><\/h2>\n

The Japanese honorific system can actually be divided into three subdivisions: formal language, humble language, and honorific language. Such polite language is useful for a variety of reasons, such as speaking to superiors or when someone is providing you a service (such as servers at restaurants, etc). There are some exceptions and changes that occur in these modes of speech, but I figure it is better to go over the general way how each subdivision works prior to going over the exceptions. There’s a fair bit of information to go through here, so let’s get started.<\/span>
\n\"Japanese<\/p>\n

Formal Speech <\/b><\/h2>\n

Formal speech shows a sort of general politeness and refinement. This sort of speech makes frequent use of the -masu form of verbs. This is a common conjugation that makes use of verb stems in Japanese. To quickly go over it, Japanese verbs all end in -u. However, Japanese is technically more of a syllabrary than an alphabet, so while all verbs in -u, they don’t all end in \u3046 (<\/span>u<\/span><\/i>), but can end in a variety of kana, which all have the -u ending, like \u304f (<\/span>ku<\/span><\/i>) or \u3080 (<\/span>mu<\/span><\/i>), etc. <\/span>That last syllable\/\u201dletter\u201d changes to the -i version. For instance, verbs that end in \u3046 (<\/span>u<\/span><\/i>) change to \u3044 (<\/span>i<\/span><\/i>), verbs that end in \u304f (<\/span>ku<\/span><\/i>) change to \u304d (<\/span>ki<\/span><\/i>), verbs that end in \u3080 (<\/span>mu<\/span><\/i>) change to \u307f (<\/span>mi<\/span><\/i>),etc. <\/span>
\nThis stands true for most verbs. There is a group of verbs that end in \u308b (<\/span>ru<\/span><\/i>) that, instead of changing to \u308a (<\/span>ri<\/span><\/i>), simply drop the \u308b (<\/span>ru<\/span><\/i>) to make the verb stem. This happens to some verbs that end with the sound of -iru or -eru, but not all. Verbs in this stem form can often become used as nouns, but we’re using them as verbs when we take these stems and simply add \u307e\u3059 (<\/span>masu<\/span><\/i>) to them. For instance, \u904a\u3076 (<\/span>asobu<\/span><\/i>, play) becomes \u904a\u3073\u307e\u3059 (<\/span>asobimasu<\/span><\/i>, play (polite). This is the form you’d use of most verbs in formal speech. It is important to point out that a common exception to this is the very common \u3059\u308b (<\/span>suru<\/span><\/i>, to do), which can make about any noun a verb. Take the verb \u8aac\u660e (<\/span>setsumei<\/span><\/i>, explanation). Saying \u8aac\u660e\u3059\u308b (<\/span>setsumei suru<\/span><\/i>) makes it mean \u201cto do\/to give an explanation\u201d. It’s -masu form is \u3057\u307e\u3059 (shimasu). Remember this, as it will come back later. <\/span>
\nThere’s a bit more to speech than verbs, and for formal speech, we should probably also bring up \u3067\u3059 (desu). It’s the polite form of making a declaration. For instance, if I painted a picture and someone asked me what it was, I could say, \u201cIt’s a fish\u201d. To say that politely in Japanese, I could say \u9b5a\u3067\u3059 (<\/span>sakana desu<\/span><\/i>, declaring that something is a fish). Pretty simple right now, it will come back later. <\/span>
\nWith all that said, let’s quickly go over some conjugations. For the -masu form of a verb, the negative version changes from \u307e\u3059 (<\/span>masu<\/span><\/i>) to \u307e\u305b\u3093 (<\/span>masen<\/span><\/i>). So, \u904a\u3073\u307e\u3059 (<\/span>asobimasu<\/span><\/i>, play) becomes \u904a\u3073\u307e\u305b\u3093 (<\/span>asobimasen, <\/span><\/i>to not play). The past tense takes the \u307e\u3059 (<\/span>masu<\/span><\/i>) and changes it to \u307e\u3057\u305f (<\/span>mashita<\/span><\/i>). \u904a\u3073\u307e\u3057\u305f (<\/span>asobimashita<\/span><\/i>) means \u201cdid play\u201d.<\/span>
\n\"Japanese<\/p>\n

Common Exceptions in Formal Speech<\/b><\/h2>\n

The verb \u3042\u308b (<\/span>aru<\/span><\/i>, to be (inanimate objects)) becomes \u3054\u3056\u308b (<\/span>gozaru<\/span><\/i>), the -masu form of which is special. It is \u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059 (<\/span>gozaimasu<\/span><\/i>). Remember how I said that we’d come back to \u3067\u3059 (<\/span>desu<\/span><\/i>), and that it was used in polite speech? Well, in formal speech, it too can be an exception as it can become \u3067\u3054\u3056\u308b (<\/span>de gozaru<\/span><\/i>), but most will say \u3067\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059 (<\/span>de gozaimasu<\/span><\/i>). The verb \u98df\u3079\u308b (<\/span>taberu<\/span><\/i>, eat) becomes \u3044\u305f\u3060\u304f (<\/span>itadaku<\/span><\/i>, eat) or \u3044\u305f\u3060\u304d\u307e\u3059 (<\/span>itadakimasu<\/span><\/i>, eat). The adjective \u826f\u3044 (<\/span>ii <\/span><\/i>or <\/span>yoi, <\/span><\/i>good or fine) becomes \u3088\u308d\u3057\u3044\u3067\u3059 (<\/span>yoroshii desu<\/span><\/i>, good or fine).<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Learn<\/a><\/p>\n

Humble Speech<\/b><\/h2>\n

The second subsection of honorific language we will be covering is humble speech. This sort of language is used to humble the actions of the speaker and show respect to the other(s) involved. The common way to conjugate verbs in this form is to take the stem form of the verb, add o- to front of it, and then add -suru to it. As we’re being polite, this often becomes the -masu form of \u3059\u308b (<\/span>suru<\/span><\/i>, to do), which is \u3057\u307e\u3059 (shimasu), as we have already covered. For example, the humble form of \u624b\u4f1d\u3046 (<\/span>tetsudau<\/span><\/i>, help) is \u304a\u624b\u4f1d\u3044\u3059\u308b ((<\/span>o-tetsudai suru<\/span><\/i>) or \u304a\u624b\u4f1d\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059 (<\/span>o-tetsudai shimasu<\/span><\/i>). That is the common conjugation into the humble form, but there are many common exceptions to this rule. <\/span><\/p>\n

Common Except<\/b>ions in Humble Speech<\/b><\/h2>\n

While the normal rule for conjugation is simple, wherein you add o- to the front and -suru\/-shimasu to the end of the verb stem, there are various common expressions. <\/span>
\nThe verb \u3059\u308b (<\/span>suru<\/span><\/i>, to do) becomes \u81f4\u3059 (<\/span>itasu<\/span><\/i>) or \u81f4\u3057\u307e\u3059 (<\/span>itashimasu<\/span><\/i>). <\/span>
\nThe verb \u884c\u304f (<\/span>iku<\/span><\/i>, go) becomes \u53c2\u308b (<\/span>mairu<\/span><\/i>) or \u53c2\u308a\u307e\u3059 (<\/span>mairimasu<\/span><\/i>). <\/span>
\nThe verb \u6765\u308b (<\/span>kuru<\/span><\/i>, come) also becomes \u53c2\u308b (<\/span>mairu<\/span><\/i>) or \u53c2\u308a\u307e\u3059 (<\/span>mairimasu<\/span><\/i>). <\/span>
\nThe verb \u898b\u308b (<\/span>miru<\/span><\/i>, see) becomes \u62dd\u898b\u3059\u308b (<\/span>haiken suru<\/span><\/i>) or \u62dd\u898b\u3057\u307e\u3059 (<\/span>haiken shimasu<\/span><\/i>). <\/span>
\nThe verb \u805e\u304f (<\/span>kiku<\/span><\/i>, hear or ask) becomes \u4f3a\u3046 (<\/span>ukagau<\/span><\/i>) or \u4f3a\u3044\u307e\u3059 (<\/span>ukagaimasu<\/span><\/i>). <\/span>
\nThe verb \u8a00\u3046 (<\/span>iu<\/span><\/i>, say) becomes \u7533\u3059 (<\/span>mousu<\/span><\/i>) or \u7533\u3057\u307e\u3059 (<\/span>moushimasu<\/span><\/i>). <\/span>
\nThe verbs \u3082\u3089\u3046 (<\/span>morau<\/span><\/i>, to receive), \u98df\u3079\u308b (<\/span>taberu<\/span><\/i>, eat), and \u98f2\u3080 (<\/span>nomu<\/span><\/i>, drink) all become \u3044\u305f\u3060\u304f (<\/span>itadaku<\/span><\/i>) or \u3044\u305f\u3060\u304d\u307e\u3059 (<\/span>itadakimasu<\/span><\/i>). <\/span>
\nThe verb \u77e5\u308b (<\/span>shiru<\/span><\/i>, know) becomes \u5b58\u3058\u308b (<\/span>zonjiru<\/span><\/i>) or \u5b58\u3058\u307e\u3059 (<\/span>zonjimasu<\/span><\/i>). <\/span>
\nThe verb \u3044\u308b (<\/span>iru<\/span><\/i>, to be (animate people\/things) becomes \u304a\u308b (<\/span>oru<\/span><\/i>) or \u304a\u308a\u307e\u3059 (<\/span>orimasu<\/span><\/i>).<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Japanese<\/p>\n

Japanese Honorific Speech<\/b><\/h2>\n

Honorific speech is used to honor someone and show them a special amount of politeness. In this speech, it is common to have the prefix \u5fa1 (<\/span>go <\/span><\/i>or <\/span>o <\/span><\/i>or more rarely, <\/span>mi<\/span><\/i>) attached to certain nouns. Not all nouns take the prefix, and the various readings are usually not interchangeable. Experience can inform you of the reading required, but it is common to write it in kana, so reading it aloud isn’t as difficult as it may sound. For instance, \u5ba2 (<\/span>kyaku<\/span><\/i>, customer) becomes \u304a\u5ba2 (<\/span>o-kyaku<\/span><\/i>), which often is accompanied with the suffix \u3055\u3093 (<\/span>san<\/span><\/i>) or \u69d8 (<\/span>sama<\/span><\/i>), of which the latter gives the most honor. Note that many words just commonly use the prefix \u5fa1 (<\/span>go <\/span><\/i>or <\/span>o <\/span><\/i>or <\/span>mi<\/span><\/i>) in common speech, and still some just use it in other politeness levels in the honorific system in general, and this by itself doesn’t mean the speaker is using honorific speech. <\/span>
\nIn terms of verbs, there are few different forms of normal conjugation. One way is to add o- at the beginning and then add -ni naru at the end of the verb stem. So, \u5e30\u308b (<\/span>kaeru<\/span><\/i>, go home) becomes \u304a\u5e30\u308a\u306b\u306a\u308b (<\/span>o-kaeri ni naru<\/span><\/i>) or \u304a\u5e30\u308a\u306b\u306a\u308a\u307e\u3059 (<\/span>o-kaeri ni narimasu<\/span><\/i>). Another way is to add o- in front of the verb stem and then add -da or (more politely) -desu at the end. So, it would be \u304a\u5e30\u308a\u3060 (<\/span>o-kaeri da<\/span><\/i>) or \u304a\u5e30\u308a\u3067\u3059 (<\/span>o-kaeri<\/span><\/i> desu<\/span><\/i>). Still another way is to take the last consonant and change it from the -u form of it to the -a form of the last consonant, and then add -reru. So, it would be \u5e30\u3089\u308c\u308b (<\/span>kaerareru<\/span><\/i>) or \u5e30\u3089\u308c\u307e\u3059 (<\/span>kaeraremasu<\/span><\/i>). <\/span><\/p>\n

\"Learn<\/a><\/h2>\n

Exceptions in Honorific Speech<\/b><\/h2>\n

Like the other subsections within the honorific system, there are many common exceptions in honorific speech to the common conjugation forms. Some of these also have abnormal -masu forms, so be careful. <\/span>
\nThe verb \u3059\u308b (<\/span>suru<\/span><\/i>, to do) becomes \u306a\u3055\u308b (<\/span>nasaru<\/span><\/i>) or \u306a\u3055\u3044\u307e\u3059 (<\/span>nasaimasu<\/span><\/i>). <\/span>
\nThe verb \u884c\u304f (<\/span>iku<\/span><\/i>, go), the verb \u6765\u308b (<\/span>kuru<\/span><\/i>, come), and the verb \u3044\u308b (<\/span>iru<\/span><\/i>, to be (animate beings)) all become \u3044\u3089\u3063\u3057\u3083\u308b (<\/span>irassharu<\/span><\/i>) or \u3044\u3089\u3063\u3057\u3083\u3044\u307e\u3059 (<\/span>irasshaimasu<\/span><\/i>), and they all also can become \u304a\u3044\u3067\u306b\u306a\u308b (<\/span>oide ni naru<\/span><\/i>) or \u304a\u3044\u3067\u306b\u306a\u308a\u307e\u3059 (<\/span>oide ni narimasu<\/span><\/i>). <\/span>
\nThe verb \u898b\u308b (<\/span>miru<\/span><\/i>, see) becomes \u3054\u89a7\u306b\u306a\u308b<\/span> (<\/span>goran ni naru<\/span><\/i>) or \u3054\u89a7\u306b\u306a\u308a\u307e\u3059 (<\/span>goran ni narimasu<\/span><\/i>). <\/span>
\nThe verb \u8a00\u3046 (<\/span>iu<\/span><\/i>, talk) becomes \u304a\u3063\u3057\u3083\u308b (<\/span>ossharu<\/span><\/i>) or \u304a\u3063\u3057\u3083\u3044\u307e\u3059 (<\/span>osshaimasu<\/span><\/i>). <\/span>
\nThe verb \u304f\u308c\u308b (<\/span>kureru<\/span><\/i>, give) becomes \u4e0b\u3055\u308b (<\/span>kudasaru<\/span><\/i>) or \u4e0b\u3055\u3044\u307e\u3059 (<\/span>kudasaimasu<\/span><\/i>). <\/span>
\nThe verbs \u98df\u3079\u308b (<\/span>taberu<\/span><\/i>, eat) and \u98f2\u3080 (<\/span>nomu<\/span><\/i>, drink) both become \u53ec\u3057\u4e0a\u304c\u308b (<\/span>meshiagaru<\/span><\/i>) or \u53ec\u3057\u4e0a\u304c\u308a\u307e\u3059 (<\/span>meshiagarimasu<\/span><\/i>). <\/span>
\nThe verb \u77e5\u308b (<\/span>shiru<\/span><\/i>, know) becomes \u3054\u5b58\u77e5\u3060 (<\/span>gozonji da<\/span><\/i>) or \u3054\u5b58\u77e5\u3067\u3059 (<\/span>gozonji desu<\/span><\/i>).<\/span>
\n\"Japanese
\nThis should hopefully scratch the surface of the honorific system. Note that there are normal and more polite forms within these elevated systems of politeness (i.e., -da and -desu forms or normal and -masu forms) and that the rules of speaking within these forms of elevated politeness depend on how many speakers there are and who is speaking, etc.\u00a0<\/span>
\nEven though this sounds confusing, if you’re studying Japanese on a constant basis, you’ll start to recognize patterns and know when to say what (even if you don’t necessarily know the technical reasons why). On the opposite side of the spectrum, you may want to check out our post on\u00a0Japanese slang<\/a> to give your brain a bit of a break from all the politeness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Using LingQ to Learn Japanese<\/h2>\n

Using\u00a0LingQ is the best way to learn Japanese<\/a>\u00a0because it allows you to import content that you love.\u00a0You can easily import any Japanese content you find online (or anime, dramas, songs, and so on) into LingQ and it will automatically create a brand new lesson for you. Highlight new words and add them to your vocabulary deck. You have an infinite amount of content to learn from. Good luck!<\/p>\n

\"Learn<\/p>\n

Also, LingQ is available on mobile. Take your lessons wherever you go and listen to your target language, read your transcripts, and create review flashcards.\u00a0LingQ\u2019s language learning apps are available for both\u00a0Android<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0iOS<\/a>.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Caiman Cotton is a freelance Japanese translator who has studied the language for years. He hopes to one day also study Latin.<\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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