Honorific and Humble Language 尊敬語と謙譲語
こんにちは皆さん！私はサクラです。For today's post, we will be talking about honorific and humble verbs in the Japanese language. I am pretty sure everyone has been gotten onto for not speaking appropriately at some point in their lives. Like English, in Japan you have to consider how to talk to others, especially in a formal setting. Unfortunately, because Japanese contains countless verbs and variations of how to use a verb depending on the situation, knowing the right way to say something based on formality can be difficult. However, the best way to start learning how to speak Japanese regarding formality would be to learn the appropriate verbs. Here are some of the necessary verbs one has to know when considering formality.
いる means "to be" or "to exist" for animate nouns. When the Japanese say that someone whom they respect is somewhere, they would use the verb いらっしゃる (Irassharu). However, if a person were to humbly speak about where they were, they would use おる (oru).
Another important thing to note is that when using te forms for both honorific and humble language, both these verbs are used at the end of the verb. For example, if you were to say "I am studying," you would say 「私は勉強しております」(Watashi wa benkyoushiteorimasu)
Examples
Sensei wa jyugyou ni irasshaimasen.
My teacher is not in the classroom.
Watashi wa toshokan ni orimasu.
Kanojo wa hon o yondeirasshaimasu.
De-to ga aru node, resutoran o sagashiteorimasu.
I am finding a restaurant because I have a date.
2.行く (iku) and 来る (kuru)
行く means "to go" and 来る means "to come." However, in formal setting, a single verb can be used for both meanings. When talking about a higher-up, one uses the same いらっしゃる. However, if someone were to say, "I'm going to the convenience store" in a humble way, they have to say 「私はコンビニに参ります」(Watashi ha konbini ni mairimasu).
Shachou wa tatemono ni irasshaimashita.
The manager came to the building.
Watashi wa honya ni mairimashita.
Sensei wa eki ni irasshaimasu.
The teacher is going to the train station.
3.食べる (taberu) and 飲む (nomu)
The former is "to eat," and the latter is "to drink," but when speaking formally or humbly, a single verb can be used for eating and drinking. When speaking about someone who has a higher status than you, you have to use 召し上がる (meshiagaru). But if you were to say you ate something in a formal setting, you have to use いただく(itadaku), which actually sounds like what the Japanese would say before eating their meal. It is also the formal way to say もらう (morau), which means "to receive."
Watashi wa bangohan o itadakimasu.
I am going to eat dinner.
Senpai wa obentou o meshiagatteimasu.
Senpai is eating a bento.
Sensei wa yoku ko-hi o meshiagarimasu.
Oftentimes the teacher will drink coffee.
する means "to do" and there are two different verbs used for formal setting. If talking about a higher-up doing something, なさる (nasaru) is used, whereas いたす (itasu) is what we use when speaking humbly about ourselves.
Watashi wa benkyou itashite yokattadesu.
It's a good thing I have studied.
Sensei wa ryouri o nasatta koro ga arimasu ka?
Has the teacher cooked before?
Watashi wa sore o itashimashita.
言う means "to say." If you were to state what your boss said in Japanese, you have to use おっしゃる (ossharu). For yourself, you must use 申す (mousu).
Kare wa chotto okureteiru to osshatteimashita.
He said he would be running a bit late.
Sensei wa osshatta node okikishimashita.
Because the teacher was speaking, I listened.
In the Japanese language, there are many other verbs that are used in place of typical verbs when speaking formally. However, some end up being formatted differently. For example, if one were to say "Mr. Tanaka was reading," they would say 「たなかさんはお読みになりました。」(Tanaka san wa oyomininarimashita). However, for yourself, the ending of of the verb should be します (shimasu) rather than なります (narimasu).
Sensei wa yoku ooyogininarimasu.
Oftentimes, the teacher swims.
Amerika ni okaerisuru tsumori desu.
I am planning to return to America.
私はスピーチをお作りしました。
Watashi wa supi-chi wo otsukurishimashita.
I have created my speech.
One of the reasons why Japanese is a complex language is because of the fact one has to be really cautious when speaking in a certain setting. It is one of the most frustrating things about being a foreigner. However, with good practice, it can lead to a less awkward and more pleasant conversation. Here are some other verbs that can be useful when speaking in a formal setting.
Honorific Verbs (When talking about those who you highly respect)
ご覧になる (goranninaru)-to see, equivalent to 見る (miru)
くださる (kudasaru)-to give to you/someone else, equivalent to くれる (kureru)
お休みになる (oyasumininaru)-to sleep, equivalent to 寝る (neru)
Humble Verbs (When talking about yourself)
ござる (gozaru)-to be or exist for inanimate objects, equivalent to ある (aru)
でござる (degozaru)-something is, equivalent to です (desu)
差し上げる (sashiageru)-to give to someone or do something for someone, equivalent to あげる (ageru)
That’s it for today’s lesson! これが終わります！ありがとうございました。
Illustration was made by yours-truly
PS: My apologies for not posting in a while. The past few weeks have been a bit eventful and there is a chance it might get busier for the next month or so. However, I will try to post every week if I can. ありがとうございました。
