[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-article-local-japanese-keigo":3,"$fHZsWYl_LcdVZ5GxKwtR-ZqvCZbbUdo2_Fi6R_GQKiQM":4,"blog-article-cms-japanese-keigo":6,"article-hreflang-japanese-keigo":1189,"blog-article-related-japanese-keigo":1190},null,{"approximate_member_count":5},20501,{"id":7,"documentId":8,"title":9,"description":10,"timestampUnix":11,"slug":12,"h1":13,"image":14,"tags":20,"lang":3,"body":25,"createdAt":1183,"updatedAt":1184,"publishedAt":1185,"category":1186,"featured":1187,"timestamp":1188,"locale":-1,"_dir":1186},1746,"koayp52qbz9tj2wfu7x12dcp","Japanese Keigo: Understanding Honorific Language Forms","Japanese keigo (honorific language) with clear explanations of sonkeigo, kenjougo, and teineigo. Understand when to use respectful speech.","1767150000000","japanese-keigo","Japanese Keigo: Understanding Types of Keigo in Japanese Speech",{"alt":15,"src":16,"width":17,"height":18,"previewOnly":19},"Understanding keigo (honorific language) - Banner","https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002FScreenshot_2026_01_08_045107_7771e99408\u002FScreenshot_2026_01_08_045107_7771e99408.png",1000,483,false,[21,22,23,24],"fundamentals","vocabulary","phrases","grammar",{"data":26,"body":29,"toc":1166},{"title":27,"description":28},"","Japanese keigo can feel overwhelming at first when learning Japanese because the Japanese language doesn't just add polite words on top of regular speech. The whole structure changes. A simple verb like taberu () meaning \"to eat\" becomes meshiagaru () in respectful contexts or itadaku (いただく) in humble situations. Pretty wild, right? No worries. This post gives you a complete guide on how to use keigo and the basic expressions you should know!",{"type":30,"children":31},"root",[32,65,69,73,80,91,113,118,129,132,138,143,221,226,229,235,258,265,275,304,309,365,376,382,392,397,476,487,504,510,520,525,530,567,578,581,594,599,613,662,678,695,746,759,806,822,835,840,896,899,905,910,926,936,946,956,966,969,975,980,996,1006,1051,1061,1071,1081,1091,1096,1103,1109,1112,1118,1131,1134,1140,1145,1161],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":35,"children":36},"element","p",{},[37,40,49,51,57,59,63],{"type":38,"value":39},"text","Japanese keigo can feel overwhelming at first when ",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":42,"children":46},"a",{"href":43,"rel":44},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku.com\u002Flearn-japanese",[45],"nofollow",[47],{"type":38,"value":48},"learning Japanese",{"type":38,"value":50}," because the Japanese language doesn't just add polite words on top of regular speech. The whole structure changes. A simple verb like taberu (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":53,"children":56},"typo",{"lang":54,"syntax":55},"ja","食[た;k2]べる",[],{"type":38,"value":58},") meaning \"to eat\" becomes meshiagaru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":60,"children":62},{"lang":54,"syntax":61},"召し上[めしあ;h,k4]がる",[],{"type":38,"value":64},") in respectful contexts or itadaku (いただく) in humble situations. Pretty wild, right? No worries. This post gives you a complete guide on how to use keigo and the basic expressions you should know!",{"type":33,"tag":66,"props":67,"children":68},"toc",{},[],{"type":33,"tag":70,"props":71,"children":72},"hr",{},[],{"type":33,"tag":74,"props":75,"children":77},"h2",{"id":76},"what-is-keigo-in-japanese",[78],{"type":38,"value":79},"What is keigo in Japanese",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":81,"children":82},{},[83,85,89],{"type":38,"value":84},"Here's the thing about learning Japanese: you can master hiragana, katakana, and even a few hundred kanji, but the moment you step into a Japanese workplace or meet someone's parents, you'll hit a wall called keigo (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":86,"children":88},{"lang":54,"syntax":87},"敬語[けいご;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":90},").",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":92,"children":93},{},[94,96,99,101,105,107,111],{"type":38,"value":95},"Keigo refers to the honorific language system in Japanese that shows respect, maintains social harmony, and acknowledges hierarchy. The term ",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":97,"children":98},{"lang":54,"syntax":87},[],{"type":38,"value":100}," literally breaks down into kei (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":102,"children":104},{"lang":54,"syntax":103},"敬[けい]",[],{"type":38,"value":106},") meaning \"respect\" and go (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":108,"children":110},{"lang":54,"syntax":109},"語[ご]",[],{"type":38,"value":112},") meaning \"language.\"",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":114,"children":115},{},[116],{"type":38,"value":117},"While English has polite phrases like \"could you please\" or \"sir\u002Fma'am,\" Japanese keigo transforms entire verb structures, vocabulary choices, and sentence patterns based on who you're talking to and about.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":119,"children":120},{},[121,123,127],{"type":38,"value":122},"The cultural importance of keigo runs deep in Japanese society. Using appropriate honorific speech demonstrates that you understand social relationships, respect hierarchy, and care about maintaining wa (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":124,"children":126},{"lang":54,"syntax":125},"和[わ;o]",[],{"type":38,"value":128},"), the concept of group harmony. Japanese people start learning the nuances of keigo formally in school and continue refining their usage throughout their careers.",{"type":33,"tag":70,"props":130,"children":131},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":74,"props":133,"children":135},{"id":134},"when-to-use-keigo-japanese",[136],{"type":38,"value":137},"When to use keigo Japanese",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":139,"children":140},{},[141],{"type":38,"value":142},"Which Japanese honorific to use depends entirely on context, relationship dynamics, and social settings. Here's where things get practical.",{"type":33,"tag":144,"props":145,"children":146},"ol",{},[147,165,175,185,201],{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":149,"children":150},"li",{},[151,157,159,163],{"type":33,"tag":152,"props":153,"children":154},"strong",{},[155],{"type":38,"value":156},"Business settings",{"type":38,"value":158}," demand the most rigorous keigo usage. When speaking with clients, use sonkeigo for their actions and kenjougo for yours. \"Shachou ga osshatta toori ni itashimasu\" (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":160,"children":162},{"lang":54,"syntax":161},"社長[しゃちょう;h] が おっしゃっ[,おっしゃる;k3]た 通[とお;o]り に 致[いた,いたす;k2,h]します",[],{"type":38,"value":164},") meaning \"I will do as the president said\" combines osshatta (Respectful form of \"said\") with itashimasu (Humble form of \"do\").",{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":166,"children":167},{},[168,173],{"type":33,"tag":152,"props":169,"children":170},{},[171],{"type":38,"value":172},"Customer service",{"type":38,"value":174}," in Japan relies heavily on keigo. Retail workers, restaurant staff, and service professionals consistently use respectful language toward customers. You'll hear \"Irasshaimase\" (いらっしゃいませ) meaning \"welcome\" and \"Kashikomarimashita\" (かしこまりました) meaning \"certainly\u002Funderstood\" constantly in shops.",{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":176,"children":177},{},[178,183],{"type":33,"tag":152,"props":179,"children":180},{},[181],{"type":38,"value":182},"Meeting superiors",{"type":38,"value":184}," like your boss's boss, professors, or elders requires careful keigo selection. Stick with sonkeigo when discussing their actions and kenjougo or teineigo for your own. The formality level should match or exceed what others use toward that person.",{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":186,"children":187},{},[188,193,195,199],{"type":33,"tag":152,"props":189,"children":190},{},[191],{"type":38,"value":192},"Email communication",{"type":38,"value":194}," in professional contexts typically employs written keigo forms. Business emails open with set phrases using humble language like \"Itsumo osewa ni natte orimasu\" (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":196,"children":198},{"lang":54,"syntax":197},"いつも[;a] お世話[おせわ;n2] に なっ[,なる;h]て おり[,おる;k1]ます",[],{"type":38,"value":200},") roughly meaning \"Thank you for your continued support.\"",{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":202,"children":203},{},[204,209,211,214,216,220],{"type":33,"tag":152,"props":205,"children":206},{},[207],{"type":38,"value":208},"Casual situations",{"type":38,"value":210}," with friends, family, or close colleagues of equal status don't require keigo at all. Using keigo with close friends actually creates distance and feels weird. You'd drop down to casual forms like taberu (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":212,"children":213},{"lang":54,"syntax":55},[],{"type":38,"value":215},") instead of tabemasu (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":217,"children":219},{"lang":54,"syntax":218},"食[た,たべる;k2]べます",[],{"type":38,"value":90},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":222,"children":223},{},[224],{"type":38,"value":225},"The trickiest part? Japanese people constantly adjust their keigo level mid-conversation based on shifting contexts. You might use casual speech with a coworker during lunch, then switch to teineigo when others join, then elevate to full keigo when the department head walks by.",{"type":33,"tag":70,"props":227,"children":228},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":74,"props":230,"children":232},{"id":231},"the-three-types-of-keigo",[233],{"type":38,"value":234},"The three types of keigo",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":236,"children":237},{},[238,240,244,246,250,252,256],{"type":38,"value":239},"What are the three types of keigo? The Japanese honorific system divides into three main categories: sonkeigo (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":241,"children":243},{"lang":54,"syntax":242},"尊敬語[そんけいご;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":245},"), kenjougo (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":247,"children":249},{"lang":54,"syntax":248},"謙譲語[けんじょうご;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":251},"), and teineigo (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":253,"children":255},{"lang":54,"syntax":254},"丁寧語[ていねいご;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":257},"). Each serves a distinct purpose in showing respect and maintaining appropriate social distance.",{"type":33,"tag":259,"props":260,"children":262},"h3",{"id":261},"sonkeigo-respectful-language",[263],{"type":38,"value":264},"Sonkeigo: Respectful language",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":266,"children":267},{},[268,270,273],{"type":38,"value":269},"Sonkeigo (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":271,"children":272},{"lang":54,"syntax":242},[],{"type":38,"value":274},") elevates the actions of someone you want to show respect toward. You use sonkeigo when talking about your boss, customers, teachers, or anyone of higher social status. The respectful language literally raises their actions above yours.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":276,"children":277},{},[278,280,284,286,290,292,296,298,302],{"type":38,"value":279},"Common sonkeigo transformations include adding the prefix o (お) or go (ご) before nouns and verbs. For example, namae (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":281,"children":283},{"lang":54,"syntax":282},"名前[なまえ;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":285},") meaning \"name\" becomes o-namae (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":287,"children":289},{"lang":54,"syntax":288},"お 名前[なまえ;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":291},") when referring to someone else's name respectfully. The verb kaku (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":293,"children":295},{"lang":54,"syntax":294},"書[か;k1]く",[],{"type":38,"value":297},") meaning \"to write\" transforms into o-kaki ni naru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":299,"children":301},{"lang":54,"syntax":300},"お 書[が]き に なる[;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":303},") in sonkeigo form.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":305,"children":306},{},[307],{"type":38,"value":308},"Some verbs have special sonkeigo forms that replace the standard verb entirely:",{"type":33,"tag":310,"props":311,"children":312},"ul",{},[313,324,339,344,360],{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":314,"children":315},{},[316,318,322],{"type":38,"value":317},"Iku (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":319,"children":321},{"lang":54,"syntax":320},"行[い;h]く",[],{"type":38,"value":323},") \"to go\" becomes irassharu (いらっしゃる)",{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":325,"children":326},{},[327,329,332,334,337],{"type":38,"value":328},"Taberu (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":330,"children":331},{"lang":54,"syntax":55},[],{"type":38,"value":333},") \"to eat\" becomes meshiagaru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":335,"children":336},{"lang":54,"syntax":61},[],{"type":38,"value":338},")",{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":340,"children":341},{},[342],{"type":38,"value":343},"Iru (いる) \"to be\u002Fexist\" becomes irassharu (いらっしゃる)",{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":345,"children":346},{},[347,349,353,355,359],{"type":38,"value":348},"Miru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":350,"children":352},{"lang":54,"syntax":351},"見[み;k1]る",[],{"type":38,"value":354},") \"to see\u002Fwatch\" becomes goran ni naru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":356,"children":358},{"lang":54,"syntax":357},"ご覧[ごらん;h] に なる[;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":338},{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":361,"children":362},{},[363],{"type":38,"value":364},"Suru (する) \"to do\" becomes nasaru (なさる)",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":366,"children":367},{},[368,370,374],{"type":38,"value":369},"You'd use sonkeigo in sentences like \"Shachou wa mou irasshaimashita ka?\" (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":371,"children":373},{"lang":54,"syntax":372},"社長[しゃちょう;h] は もう[;a,h] いらっしゃい[,いらっしゃる;k4]ました か",[],{"type":38,"value":375},"？) meaning \"Has the company president arrived yet?\" The verb irasshaimashita shows respect to the superior being discussed.",{"type":33,"tag":259,"props":377,"children":379},{"id":378},"kenjougo-humble-language",[380],{"type":38,"value":381},"Kenjougo: Humble language",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":383,"children":384},{},[385,387,390],{"type":38,"value":386},"Kenjougo (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":388,"children":389},{"lang":54,"syntax":248},[],{"type":38,"value":391},"), also called humble language or humble form, works opposite to sonkeigo. Instead of elevating others, you lower your own actions to show respect. This might sound weird if you're not familiar with hierarchical language systems, but humble language demonstrates modesty and deference.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":393,"children":394},{},[395],{"type":38,"value":396},"The humble form appears when you talk about your own actions in relation to someone of higher status. Common kenjougo verbs include:",{"type":33,"tag":310,"props":398,"children":399},{},[400,414,428,433,447,461],{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":401,"children":402},{},[403,404,407,409,413],{"type":38,"value":317},{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":405,"children":406},{"lang":54,"syntax":320},[],{"type":38,"value":408},") \"to go\" becomes mairu (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":410,"children":412},{"lang":54,"syntax":411},"参[まい;k1]る",[],{"type":38,"value":338},{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":415,"children":416},{},[417,418,421,423,427],{"type":38,"value":328},{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":419,"children":420},{"lang":54,"syntax":55},[],{"type":38,"value":422},") \"to eat\" becomes itadaku (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":424,"children":426},{"lang":54,"syntax":425},"いただく[;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":338},{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":429,"children":430},{},[431],{"type":38,"value":432},"Iru (いる) \"to be\u002Fexist\" becomes oru (おる)",{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":434,"children":435},{},[436,437,440,442,446],{"type":38,"value":348},{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":438,"children":439},{"lang":54,"syntax":351},[],{"type":38,"value":441},") \"to see\" becomes haiken suru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":443,"children":445},{"lang":54,"syntax":444},"拝見[はいけん;h] する[;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":338},{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":448,"children":449},{},[450,451,454,456,460],{"type":38,"value":317},{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":452,"children":453},{"lang":54,"syntax":320},[],{"type":38,"value":455},") \"to visit\" becomes ukagau (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":457,"children":459},{"lang":54,"syntax":458},"伺[うかが;h]う",[],{"type":38,"value":338},{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":462,"children":463},{},[464,466,470,472,475],{"type":38,"value":465},"Kiku (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":467,"children":469},{"lang":54,"syntax":468},"聞[き;h]く",[],{"type":38,"value":471},") \"to ask\u002Fhear\" becomes ukagau (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":473,"children":474},{"lang":54,"syntax":458},[],{"type":38,"value":338},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":477,"children":478},{},[479,481,485],{"type":38,"value":480},"A typical kenjougo sentence would be \"Ashita ukagaimasu\" (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":482,"children":484},{"lang":54,"syntax":483},"明日[あした;h] 伺[うかが,うかがう;h]います",[],{"type":38,"value":486},") meaning \"I will visit (you) tomorrow.\" The verb ukagaimasu humbles your action of visiting someone who deserves respect.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":488,"children":489},{},[490,492,496,498,502],{"type":38,"value":491},"The prefix o (お) or go (ご) combined with verb stem plus suru (する) also creates humble language patterns. For example, \"I will contact you\" becomes \"go-renraku itashimasu\" (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":493,"children":495},{"lang":54,"syntax":494},"ご 連絡[れんらく;h] いたし[,いたす;k2]ます",[],{"type":38,"value":497},"), where itasu (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":499,"children":501},{"lang":54,"syntax":500},"致[いた;k2,h]す",[],{"type":38,"value":503},") serves as the humble form of suru (する).",{"type":33,"tag":259,"props":505,"children":507},{"id":506},"teineigo-polite-language",[508],{"type":38,"value":509},"Teineigo: Polite language",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":511,"children":512},{},[513,515,518],{"type":38,"value":514},"Teineigo (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":516,"children":517},{"lang":54,"syntax":254},[],{"type":38,"value":519},") represents the foundational level of polite language that most Japanese learners encounter first. This polite form uses the masu (ます) and desu (です) endings you probably learned in your first Japanese lessons.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":521,"children":522},{},[523],{"type":38,"value":524},"Unlike sonkeigo and kenjougo, teineigo doesn't specifically elevate or humble anyone. The polite language simply adds general courtesy to your speech, making it appropriate for most everyday situations with people outside your close circle.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":526,"children":527},{},[528],{"type":38,"value":529},"Basic teineigo conjugations follow predictable patterns:",{"type":33,"tag":310,"props":531,"children":532},{},[533,547,562],{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":534,"children":535},{},[536,537,540,542,545],{"type":38,"value":328},{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":538,"children":539},{"lang":54,"syntax":55},[],{"type":38,"value":541},") becomes tabemasu (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":543,"children":544},{"lang":54,"syntax":218},[],{"type":38,"value":546},") \"eat (Polite)\"",{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":548,"children":549},{},[550,551,554,556,560],{"type":38,"value":317},{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":552,"children":553},{"lang":54,"syntax":320},[],{"type":38,"value":555},") becomes ikimasu (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":557,"children":559},{"lang":54,"syntax":558},"行[い,ゆく;h]きます",[],{"type":38,"value":561},") \"go (Polite)\"",{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":563,"children":564},{},[565],{"type":38,"value":566},"Da (だ) becomes desu (です) \"is (Polite)\"",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":568,"children":569},{},[570,572,576],{"type":38,"value":571},"You'd use teineigo when talking to coworkers of similar rank, acquaintances, store clerks, or in any situation where casual speech feels too informal but heavy honorifics seem excessive. Sentences like \"Kyou wa atsui desu ne\" (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":573,"children":575},{"lang":54,"syntax":574},"今日[きょう;a] は 暑[あつ;k2]い です[;a] ね",[],{"type":38,"value":577},") meaning \"Today is hot, isn't it?\" demonstrate standard teineigo politeness.",{"type":33,"tag":70,"props":579,"children":580},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":74,"props":582,"children":584},{"id":583},"verb-conjugations-and-prefix-patterns",[585,592],{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":586,"children":589},{"href":587,"rel":588},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku.com\u002Fblog\u002Fjapanese\u002Fjapanese-verb-conjugation-complete-guide",[45],[590],{"type":38,"value":591},"Verb conjugation",{"type":38,"value":593},"s and prefix patterns",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":595,"children":596},{},[597],{"type":38,"value":598},"Understanding keigo verb transformations helps you recognize and produce honorific speech more naturally. Let me break down the main patterns.",{"type":33,"tag":600,"props":601,"children":602},"blockquote",{},[603],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":604,"children":605},{},[606,611],{"type":33,"tag":152,"props":607,"children":608},{},[609],{"type":38,"value":610},"Sonkeigo verb construction",{"type":38,"value":612}," often follows the pattern: o + verb stem + ni naru (お + verb stem + になる).",{"type":33,"tag":310,"props":614,"children":615},{},[616,632,646],{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":617,"children":618},{},[619,621,625,627,631],{"type":38,"value":620},"Yomu (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":622,"children":624},{"lang":54,"syntax":623},"読[よ;k1]む",[],{"type":38,"value":626},") \"to read\" becomes o-yomi ni naru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":628,"children":630},{"lang":54,"syntax":629},"お 読[よ;o]み に なる[;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":338},{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":633,"children":634},{},[635,637,640,642,645],{"type":38,"value":636},"Kaku (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":638,"children":639},{"lang":54,"syntax":294},[],{"type":38,"value":641},") \"to write\" becomes o-kaki ni naru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":643,"children":644},{"lang":54,"syntax":300},[],{"type":38,"value":338},{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":647,"children":648},{},[649,651,655,657,661],{"type":38,"value":650},"Matsu (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":652,"children":654},{"lang":54,"syntax":653},"待[ま;k1]つ",[],{"type":38,"value":656},") \"to wait\" becomes o-machi ni naru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":658,"children":660},{"lang":54,"syntax":659},"お待[おま]ち に なる[;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":338},{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":663,"children":664},{},[665,667,670,672,676],{"type":38,"value":666},"The passive form also functions as sonkeigo for many verbs. Yomu (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":668,"children":669},{"lang":54,"syntax":623},[],{"type":38,"value":671},") can become yomareru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":673,"children":675},{"lang":54,"syntax":674},"読[よ,よむ;k1]まれる",[],{"type":38,"value":677},") as a respectful alternative.",{"type":33,"tag":600,"props":679,"children":680},{},[681],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":682,"children":683},{},[684,689,691,694],{"type":33,"tag":152,"props":685,"children":686},{},[687],{"type":38,"value":688},"Kenjougo verb construction",{"type":38,"value":690}," typically uses: o + verb stem + suru (お + verb stem + する) or o + verb stem + itasu (お + verb stem + ",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":692,"children":693},{"lang":54,"syntax":500},[],{"type":38,"value":90},{"type":33,"tag":310,"props":696,"children":697},{},[698,714,730],{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":699,"children":700},{},[701,703,707,709,713],{"type":38,"value":702},"Todokeru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":704,"children":706},{"lang":54,"syntax":705},"届[とど;k3]ける",[],{"type":38,"value":708},") \"to deliver\" becomes o-todoke suru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":710,"children":712},{"lang":54,"syntax":711},"お 届[とど;o]け する[;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":338},{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":715,"children":716},{},[717,719,723,725,729],{"type":38,"value":718},"Tsutaeru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":720,"children":722},{"lang":54,"syntax":721},"伝[つた;h,k3]える",[],{"type":38,"value":724},") \"to convey\" becomes o-tsutae suru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":726,"children":728},{"lang":54,"syntax":727},"お伝[おつた]え する[;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":338},{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":731,"children":732},{},[733,735,739,741,745],{"type":38,"value":734},"Okurimasu (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":736,"children":738},{"lang":54,"syntax":737},"送[おく,おくる;h]ります",[],{"type":38,"value":740},") \"to send\" becomes o-okuri shimasu (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":742,"children":744},{"lang":54,"syntax":743},"お送[おおく]り し[,する;h]ます",[],{"type":38,"value":338},{"type":33,"tag":600,"props":747,"children":748},{},[749],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":750,"children":751},{},[752,757],{"type":33,"tag":152,"props":753,"children":754},{},[755],{"type":38,"value":756},"Prefix usage",{"type":38,"value":758}," matters beyond just verbs. The prefix o (お) typically attaches to native Japanese words (wago), while go (ご) pairs with Chinese-origin words (kango):",{"type":33,"tag":310,"props":760,"children":761},{},[762,773,784,795],{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":763,"children":764},{},[765,767,771],{"type":38,"value":766},"O-cha (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":768,"children":770},{"lang":54,"syntax":769},"お茶[おちゃ;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":772},") \"tea\"",{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":774,"children":775},{},[776,778,782],{"type":38,"value":777},"O-kane (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":779,"children":781},{"lang":54,"syntax":780},"お金[おかね;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":783},") \"money\"",{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":785,"children":786},{},[787,789,793],{"type":38,"value":788},"Go-han (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":790,"children":792},{"lang":54,"syntax":791},"ご飯[ごはん;a]",[],{"type":38,"value":794},") \"rice\u002Fmeal\"",{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":796,"children":797},{},[798,800,804],{"type":38,"value":799},"Go-kazoku (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":801,"children":803},{"lang":54,"syntax":802},"ご 家族[かぞく;a]",[],{"type":38,"value":805},") \"family\"",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":807,"children":808},{},[809,811,814,816,820],{"type":38,"value":810},"Some words take the honorific prefix so commonly that dropping it sounds unnatural, even in casual speech. You'd almost always say o-cha (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":812,"children":813},{"lang":54,"syntax":769},[],{"type":38,"value":815},") instead of just cha (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":817,"children":819},{"lang":54,"syntax":818},"茶[ちゃ;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":821},") for tea.",{"type":33,"tag":600,"props":823,"children":824},{},[825],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":826,"children":827},{},[828,833],{"type":33,"tag":152,"props":829,"children":830},{},[831],{"type":38,"value":832},"Irregular keigo verbs",{"type":38,"value":834}," require memorization since they don't follow standard patterns. These high-frequency verbs appear constantly in keigo contexts:",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":836,"children":837},{},[838],{"type":38,"value":839},"Standard → Sonkeigo → Kenjougo:",{"type":33,"tag":310,"props":841,"children":842},{},[843,859,874],{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":844,"children":845},{},[846,848,852,854,858],{"type":38,"value":847},"Iu (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":849,"children":851},{"lang":54,"syntax":850},"言[い;h]う",[],{"type":38,"value":853},") \"to say\" → ossharu (おっしゃる) → mousu (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":855,"children":857},{"lang":54,"syntax":856},"申[もう;k1]す",[],{"type":38,"value":338},{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":860,"children":861},{},[862,864,868,870,873],{"type":38,"value":863},"Kuru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":865,"children":867},{"lang":54,"syntax":866},"来[く;k1]る",[],{"type":38,"value":869},") \"to come\" → irassharu\u002Foide ni naru (いらっしゃる\u002Fおいでになる) → mairu (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":871,"children":872},{"lang":54,"syntax":411},[],{"type":38,"value":338},{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":875,"children":876},{},[877,879,883,885,889,891,895],{"type":38,"value":878},"Shitte iru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":880,"children":882},{"lang":54,"syntax":881},"知[し,しる;h]って いる[;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":884},") \"to know\" → go-zonji da (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":886,"children":888},{"lang":54,"syntax":887},"ご存[ごぞん;n2]じ だ",[],{"type":38,"value":890},") → zonjite iru (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":892,"children":894},{"lang":54,"syntax":893},"存[ぞん,ぞんじる;k3,h]じて いる[;h]",[],{"type":38,"value":338},{"type":33,"tag":70,"props":897,"children":898},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":74,"props":900,"children":902},{"id":901},"common-mistakes-japanese-learners-make",[903],{"type":38,"value":904},"Common mistakes Japanese learners make",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":906,"children":907},{},[908],{"type":38,"value":909},"Even intermediate learners trip over keigo regularly. Here are the mistakes I see most often:",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":911,"children":912},{},[913,918,920,924],{"type":33,"tag":152,"props":914,"children":915},{},[916],{"type":38,"value":917},"Mixing up sonkeigo and kenjougo",{"type":38,"value":919}," ranks as the most common error. Using humble language for someone else's actions or respectful language for your own actions reverses the intended meaning. Saying \"Watashi ga irasshaimasu\" (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":921,"children":923},{"lang":54,"syntax":922},"私[わたし;h] が いらっしゃい[,いらっしゃる;k4]ます",[],{"type":38,"value":925},") sounds bizarre because you're elevating yourself.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":927,"children":928},{},[929,934],{"type":33,"tag":152,"props":930,"children":931},{},[932],{"type":38,"value":933},"Over-using keigo",{"type":38,"value":935}," with friends or equals creates unnecessary distance. Some learners get so drilled on polite forms that they use teineigo everywhere, even in casual settings where it sounds stiff.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":937,"children":938},{},[939,944],{"type":33,"tag":152,"props":940,"children":941},{},[942],{"type":38,"value":943},"Under-using keigo",{"type":38,"value":945}," in professional settings causes the opposite problem. Addressing your company president with casual forms would be seriously disrespectful.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":947,"children":948},{},[949,954],{"type":33,"tag":152,"props":950,"children":951},{},[952],{"type":38,"value":953},"Forgetting consistency",{"type":38,"value":955}," within a conversation trips people up. If you start with keigo, maintain that level throughout unless the context shifts. Randomly dropping from sonkeigo to casual forms mid-sentence sounds careless.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":957,"children":958},{},[959,964],{"type":33,"tag":152,"props":960,"children":961},{},[962],{"type":38,"value":963},"Literal translation attempts",{"type":38,"value":965}," from English politeness don't work. \"Could you please\" doesn't map directly onto Japanese grammar. You need to actually transform the verb structure.",{"type":33,"tag":70,"props":967,"children":968},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":74,"props":970,"children":972},{"id":971},"practical-tips-to-learn-japanese-keigo",[973],{"type":38,"value":974},"Practical tips to learn Japanese keigo",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":976,"children":977},{},[978],{"type":38,"value":979},"Mastering keigo takes time and exposure. Here's what actually helps:",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":981,"children":982},{},[983,988,990,994],{"type":33,"tag":152,"props":984,"children":985},{},[986],{"type":38,"value":987},"Consume business Japanese content",{"type":38,"value":989}," like dramas set in offices, news programs, or formal interviews. Pay attention to how characters adjust their speech based on who they're addressing. Shows like \"Hanzawa Naoki\" (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":991,"children":993},{"lang":54,"syntax":992},"半沢[はんざわ;h,a] 直樹[なおき;a]",[],{"type":38,"value":995},") demonstrate workplace keigo extensively.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":997,"children":998},{},[999,1004],{"type":33,"tag":152,"props":1000,"children":1001},{},[1002],{"type":38,"value":1003},"Practice with common phrases",{"type":38,"value":1005}," first before worrying about every possible conjugation. Memorize high-frequency expressions like:",{"type":33,"tag":310,"props":1007,"children":1008},{},[1009,1029,1040],{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":1010,"children":1011},{},[1012,1014,1018,1020,1027],{"type":38,"value":1013},"Osore irimasu ga (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":1015,"children":1017},{"lang":54,"syntax":1016},"恐れ入[おそれい,おそれいる;k2]ります が",[],{"type":38,"value":1019},") \"",{"type":33,"tag":41,"props":1021,"children":1024},{"href":1022,"rel":1023},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku.com\u002Fblog\u002Fjapanese\u002Fexcuse-me-in-japanese",[45],[1025],{"type":38,"value":1026},"Excuse me",{"type":38,"value":1028},", but...\"",{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":1030,"children":1031},{},[1032,1034,1038],{"type":38,"value":1033},"Shitsurei itashimasu (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":1035,"children":1037},{"lang":54,"syntax":1036},"失礼[しつれい;n2] いたし[,いたす;k2]ます",[],{"type":38,"value":1039},") \"Excuse me\u002FGoodbye (humble)\"",{"type":33,"tag":148,"props":1041,"children":1042},{},[1043,1045,1049],{"type":38,"value":1044},"Moushiwake gozaimasen (",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":1046,"children":1048},{"lang":54,"syntax":1047},"申し訳[もうしわけ;h] ござい[,ござい;n2]ません",[],{"type":38,"value":1050},") \"I sincerely apologize\"",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1052,"children":1053},{},[1054,1059],{"type":33,"tag":152,"props":1055,"children":1056},{},[1057],{"type":38,"value":1058},"Study verb pairs",{"type":38,"value":1060}," together so you internalize which form to use when. Create flashcards pairing standard verbs with their sonkeigo and kenjougo equivalents.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1062,"children":1063},{},[1064,1069],{"type":33,"tag":152,"props":1065,"children":1066},{},[1067],{"type":38,"value":1068},"Read business emails",{"type":38,"value":1070}," if you can access them. Japanese business correspondence follows predictable keigo patterns that you can study and imitate.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1072,"children":1073},{},[1074,1079],{"type":33,"tag":152,"props":1075,"children":1076},{},[1077],{"type":38,"value":1078},"Don't stress perfection",{"type":38,"value":1080}," early on. Japanese people generally appreciate foreigners attempting keigo, even imperfectly. Using teineigo consistently shows effort and respect, even if you mess up the fancier forms.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1082,"children":1083},{},[1084,1089],{"type":33,"tag":152,"props":1085,"children":1086},{},[1087],{"type":38,"value":1088},"Notice the context",{"type":38,"value":1090}," more than memorizing rules. Watch when native speakers shift between formality levels and try to identify what triggered the change.",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1092,"children":1093},{},[1094],{"type":38,"value":1095},"Anyway, if you want to learn Japanese through actual immersion with real content, Migaku's browser extension and app let you look up words and save sentences instantly while watching Japanese shows or reading articles. You'll encounter keigo in natural contexts and build your understanding way faster than textbook study alone. There's a 10-day free trial if you want to check it out.",{"type":33,"tag":1097,"props":1098,"children":1102},"img",{"src":1099,"width":1100,"height":17,"alt":1101},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002F3_screens_purple_2_9bb1da2f6a\u002F3_screens_purple_2_9bb1da2f6a.png",1620,"Language learning with Migaku",[],{"type":33,"tag":1104,"props":1105,"children":1108},"prose-button",{"href":1106,"text":1107},"\u002Flearn-japanese","Learn Japanese with Migaku",[],{"type":33,"tag":70,"props":1110,"children":1111},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":74,"props":1113,"children":1115},{"id":1114},"faqs",[1116],{"type":38,"value":1117},"FAQs",{"type":33,"tag":1119,"props":1120,"children":1122},"accordion",{"heading":1121},"Does Japanese honorific use hiragana, katakana, or kanji?",[1123,1125,1129],{"type":38,"value":1124},"\nKeigo uses all three Japanese writing systems depending on the specific word. Most keigo verbs and nouns appear in kanji with hiragana for grammatical endings, just like standard Japanese. For example, irassharu (いらっしゃる) can be written in hiragana or with kanji as \n",{"type":33,"tag":52,"props":1126,"children":1128},{"lang":54,"syntax":1127},"居[い,おる;k1] らっしゃる",[],{"type":38,"value":1130},"\n, though the hiragana version appears more commonly.\n",{"type":33,"tag":70,"props":1132,"children":1133},{},[],{"type":33,"tag":74,"props":1135,"children":1137},{"id":1136},"it-takes-time-to-get-used-to-polite-speech",[1138],{"type":38,"value":1139},"It takes time to get used to polite speech...",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1141,"children":1142},{},[1143],{"type":38,"value":1144},"Look, keigo feels unnatural at first if you come from a language without elaborate honorific systems. English speakers especially struggle because we express politeness through word choice and tone rather than grammatical transformation. Pay attention to the keigo you hear in real contexts rather than just studying conjugation charts. The patterns start clicking when you notice them repeatedly in natural use.",{"type":33,"tag":600,"props":1146,"children":1147},{},[1148],{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1149,"children":1150},{},[1151,1153,1159],{"type":38,"value":1152},"If you consume media in Japanese, and you understand at least some of the messages and sentences within that media, you will make progress. ",{"type":33,"tag":1154,"props":1155,"children":1156},"em",{},[1157],{"type":38,"value":1158},"Period",{"type":38,"value":1160},".",{"type":33,"tag":34,"props":1162,"children":1163},{},[1164],{"type":38,"value":1165},"Good manners will open doors!",{"title":27,"searchDepth":1167,"depth":1167,"links":1168},2,[1169,1170,1171,1177,1179,1180,1181,1182],{"id":76,"depth":1167,"text":79},{"id":134,"depth":1167,"text":137},{"id":231,"depth":1167,"text":234,"children":1172},[1173,1175,1176],{"id":261,"depth":1174,"text":264},3,{"id":378,"depth":1174,"text":381},{"id":506,"depth":1174,"text":509},{"id":583,"depth":1167,"text":1178},"Verb conjugations and prefix patterns",{"id":901,"depth":1167,"text":904},{"id":971,"depth":1167,"text":974},{"id":1114,"depth":1167,"text":1117},{"id":1136,"depth":1167,"text":1139},"2025-12-31T03:00:07.778Z","2026-01-08T05:26:52.168Z","2026-01-08T05:26:52.218Z","japanese",0,"December 31, 2025",[],[1191,1205,1216],{"id":1192,"documentId":1193,"slug":1194,"category":1186,"lang":3,"title":1195,"description":1196,"image":1197,"tags":1200,"timestampUnix":1204,"featured":19},7258,"b1yspu87g43a1sawuj13utjw","learning-japanese-in-2026-what-actually-works","Learning Japanese in 2026: What Actually Works","A concrete 2026 guide to learning Japanese: writing systems, grammar, immersion, SRS, and how new visa rules raise the stakes for JLPT N2.",{"alt":1195,"src":1198,"width":17,"height":1199,"previewOnly":19},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002Flearning_japanese_in_2026_what_actually_works_2960eb86da\u002Flearning_japanese_in_2026_what_actually_works_2960eb86da.jpg",800,[1201,1202,1203],"resources","discussion","deepdive","1777747440000",{"id":1206,"documentId":1207,"slug":1208,"category":1186,"lang":3,"title":1209,"description":1210,"image":1211,"tags":1214,"timestampUnix":1215,"featured":19},7255,"fsbgdessf9ri72q7o8wm0dyk","how-to-learn-japanese-in-2026-a-realistic-routine","How to Learn Japanese in 2026: A Realistic Routine","A concrete 2026 routine for learning Japanese: tools, content, milestones, and a 12-month plan aimed at reading novels, watching unsubbed drama, or passing JLPT N2.",{"alt":1209,"src":1212,"width":17,"height":1213,"previewOnly":19},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002Fhow_to_learn_japanese_in_2026_a_realistic_routine_c0e887fd87\u002Fhow_to_learn_japanese_in_2026_a_realistic_routine_c0e887fd87.jpg",1200,[1201,1202,1203],"1777679340000",{"id":1217,"documentId":1218,"slug":1219,"category":1186,"lang":3,"title":1220,"description":1221,"image":1222,"tags":1224,"timestampUnix":1225,"featured":19},7254,"eyan8j4f7d472o7cmv9n5vbg","learning-japanese-in-2026-a-practitioners-playbook","Learning Japanese in 2026: A Practitioner's Playbook","How to actually learn Japanese in 2026: immersion-first routines, the grammar that matters, and what recent policy shifts mean for learners.",{"alt":1220,"src":1223,"width":17,"height":1213,"previewOnly":19},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002Flearning_japanese_in_2026_a_practitioners_playbook_dbf97e0ed7\u002Flearning_japanese_in_2026_a_practitioners_playbook_dbf97e0ed7.jpg",[1201,1203],"1777672260000"]