Hello, I’m Kodak.
Japanese learners often hear that keigo is one of the most difficult parts of the language.
That system is called 敬語 (keigo).
敬語 (keigo) means respectful or honorific language.
For beginners, its three main categories are:
尊敬語 (sonkeigo) — raises the person performing an action
謙譲語 (kenjōgo) — humbles the speaker or the speaker’s group
丁寧語 (teineigo) — makes the sentence polite to the listener
Modern official explanations often divide keigo into five categories by separating two kinds of humble language and adding beautifying language. We will start with the simple three-part system and then explain all five.
① what keigo means in English
② the difference between sonkeigo and kenjougo
③ the three traditional and five modern types of keigo
④ the most important special keigo verbs
⑤ when Japanese people use keigo
⑥ common beginner mistakes and natural examples
What Does Keigo Mean in English?
敬語 (keigo) is commonly translated as honorific language, respectful language, or polite speech.
respect; reverence
語 (go)
word; language; speech
敬語 (keigo)
language used to express respect, humility, politeness, and social consideration
It can also change an ordinary verb into a completely different word, such as 言う → おっしゃる or 見る → 拝見する.
Keigo does more than mark a person as socially “higher.” It also shows how the speaker understands the relationship, the setting, and the appropriate distance between people.
・respect for a customer, teacher, senior, or guest
・humility about your own actions
・professional distance
・formality in a public or ceremonial setting
・consideration for the listener
How Do the Main Types of Keigo Work?
The easiest way to understand keigo is to ask one question:
Sonkeigo moves the respected person’s action up.
Kenjougo moves your own action down, which indirectly respects the other person.
Teineigo keeps the information the same but makes your speech polite to the listener.
“The teacher goes.”
⇒ The teacher’s action is expressed respectfully.
謙譲語 (kenjougo)
“I go to the teacher.”
⇒ My action is expressed humbly.
丁寧語 (teineigo)
“I go.”
⇒ The sentence is stated politely to the listener.
The Three Traditional Types of Keigo
Japanese teaching has traditionally grouped keigo into three broad categories.
Respectful language for the actions or states of another person.
2. 謙譲語 (kenjougo)
Humble language for the actions of yourself or your in-group.
3. 丁寧語 (teineigo)
Polite sentence endings such as です and ます.
Modern official explanations divide kenjougo into two functions and treat bikago as another category, producing five types.
The Five Modern Types of Keigo
Raises the person whose action, state, or possession is being described.
2. 謙譲語I (kenjougo I)
Expresses your action humbly when it is directed toward a respected person.
3. 謙譲語II・丁重語 (kenjougo II / teichougo)
Expresses your own or your group’s action in a formally humble way to the listener.
4. 丁寧語 (teineigo)
Adds politeness toward the listener with forms such as です and ます.
5. 美化語 (bikago)
Makes the word sound refined or elegant, as in お酒 and お料理.
First master the basic contrast: their action = sonkeigo; my action = kenjougo; polite ending = teineigo.
What Is Sonkeigo?
尊敬語 (sonkeigo) is respectful language used for the actions, conditions, possessions, or qualities of the person you want to honor.
Use sonkeigo when the respected person is the subject or performer of the action.
先生が来ます。
Sensei ga kimasu.
The teacher will come.
⇒ ordinary polite Japanese
先生がいらっしゃいます。
Sensei ga irasshaimasu.
The teacher will come.
⇒ respectful toward the teacher
For example, you can respectfully describe your professor while speaking to another student.
Common Special Sonkeigo Verbs
go / come / be
言う → おっしゃる
say
する → なさる
do
見る → ご覧になる
see / look
食べる・飲む → 召し上がる
eat / drink
知っている → ご存じだ
know
くれる → くださる
give to me or my group
寝る → お休みになる
sleep / go to bed
部長は何とおっしゃいましたか。
Buchō wa nan to osshaimashita ka?
What did the department manager say?
先生はもう昼食を召し上がりました。
Sensei wa mō chūshoku o meshiagarimashita.
The teacher has already eaten lunch.
こちらの資料をご覧ください。
Kochira no shiryō o goran kudasai.
Please look at these materials.
How to Form Sonkeigo
Pattern 1: お + Verb Stem + になる
to read
待つ → お待ちになる
to wait
使う → お使いになる
to use
Pattern 2: ご + Sino-Japanese Word + になる
to use
出席する → ご出席になる
to attend
説明する → ご説明になる
to explain
Pattern 3: Passive-Looking ～れる／られる
帰る → 帰られる
始める → 始められる
The respectful ～れる／られる form looks identical to a passive form, so context is important. Beginners may find special verbs or お～になる easier to recognize.
Learn frequent expressions as complete phrases rather than forcing one rule onto every verb.
What Is Kenjougo?
謙譲語 (kenjougo) is humble language. It describes the action of the speaker or the speaker’s group in a way that shows respect or formality.
Use kenjougo mainly when you or someone in your group performs the action.
私は先生の研究室へ行きます。
Watashi wa sensei no kenkyūshitsu e ikimasu.
I will go to the teacher’s office.
⇒ ordinary polite Japanese
私は先生の研究室へ伺います。
Watashi wa sensei no kenkyūshitsu e ukagaimasu.
I will visit the teacher’s office.
⇒ humble toward the teacher
You are choosing a humble form for your action in that relationship and situation.
Common Special Kenjougo Verbs
go / come / visit
いる → おる
be
言う → 申す／申し上げる
say / tell
する → いたす
do
見る → 拝見する
see / look at
聞く・尋ねる → 伺う
ask / hear
会う → お目にかかる
meet
食べる・飲む・もらう → いただく
eat / drink / receive
知る・思う → 存じる
know / think
見せる → お目にかける
show
私がご説明いたします。
Watashi ga go-setsumei itashimasu.
I will explain.
先生の論文を拝見しました。
Sensei no ronbun o haiken shimashita.
I read the professor’s paper.
明日、改めて伺います。
Ashita, aratamete ukagaimasu.
I will visit again tomorrow.
How to Form Kenjougo
Pattern 1: お + Verb Stem + する／いたす
to wait
渡す → お渡しする／お渡しいたす
to hand over
届ける → お届けする／お届けいたす
to deliver
Pattern 2: ご + Sino-Japanese Word + する／いたす
to explain
案内する → ご案内する／ご案内いたす
to guide
連絡する → ご連絡する／ご連絡いたす
to contact
The action is directed toward the respected person, so the whole expression shows respect to its destination.
Sonkeigo vs Kenjougo: The Most Important Difference
The respected person performs the action.
先生がいらっしゃいます。
The teacher is coming.
謙譲語
You or your group performs the action.
私が先生のところへ伺います。
I will visit the teacher.
Who is doing the action?
If it is the respected person, choose sonkeigo.
If it is you or your side, choose kenjougo.
社長が資料をご覧になります。
The president will look at the document.
⇒ The president performs the action: sonkeigo
私が社長に資料をお見せします。
I will show the document to the president.
⇒ I perform the action toward the president: kenjougo
こちらが資料です。
This is the document.
⇒ The sentence is polite to the listener: teineigo
Kenjougo I vs Kenjougo II (Teichougo)
Modern classifications divide humble language into two categories.
Kenjougo I: The Action Has a Respected Destination
謙譲語I humbly describes an action directed toward someone you respect.
ask the teacher / visit the teacher
先生に申し上げる
tell the teacher
先生の本を拝見する
look at or read the teacher’s book
Kenjougo II / Teichougo: Formal Humility Toward the Listener
謙譲語II, also called 丁重語 (teichougo), politely and formally describes the speaker’s or the speaker’s group’s action. It does not always require a specific respected destination.
My name is Tanaka.
明日、京都へ参ります。
I will go to Kyoto tomorrow.
私が担当いたします。
I will be in charge.
For speaking, it is more useful to memorize natural chunks such as 伺います, 申します, and いたします.
What Is Teineigo?
丁寧語 (teineigo) makes a statement polite toward the person listening or reading.
行く → 行きます
ある → あります
である → でございます
明日は休みだ。
Tomorrow is a day off.
⇒ plain style
明日は休みです。
Tomorrow is a day off.
⇒ polite style
You can use it for your actions, another person’s actions, objects, weather, or almost any topic.
Learn more: What Does Gozaimasu Mean in English?
Learn more: Desu vs Da—What Is the Difference?
What Is Bikago?
美化語 (bikago) makes a word sound refined, gentle, or socially appropriate. It does not necessarily raise a specific person.
alcohol / sake
料理 → お料理
cooking / food
茶 → お茶
tea
飯 → ご飯
rice / meal
Learn common forms as vocabulary: お名前, ご住所, お茶, and ご飯.
Learn more: Why Do Japanese Add O Before Words?
A Beginner’s Keigo Verb Chart
行く・来る
いらっしゃる → 参る／伺う
いる
いらっしゃる → おる
言う
おっしゃる → 申す／申し上げる
する
なさる → いたす
見る
ご覧になる → 拝見する
聞く・尋ねる
お聞きになる／お尋ねになる → 伺う
食べる・飲む
召し上がる → いただく
会う
お会いになる → お目にかかる
知っている
ご存じだ → 存じている
くれる／もらう
くださる → いただく
As a learner, a small chart is useful—but repeated situations are even better. Memorize phrases such as ご覧ください and 拝見しました as complete units.
When Do Japanese People Use Keigo?
・speaking with customers or clients
・talking to teachers, supervisors, and senior colleagues
・meeting someone for the first time
・speaking with unfamiliar older people
・business emails and telephone calls
・formal interviews, ceremonies, and announcements
・showing professional distance and consideration
Keigo is usually reduced or replaced by casual speech with close friends, family members, and people with whom the speaker has an informal relationship.
When uncertain, starting with polite です／ます is usually safer than immediately using very elaborate keigo.
Uchi and Soto: Why Your Boss Can Become “Your Side”
A major part of business keigo is the distinction between 内 (uchi: inside / in-group) and 外 (soto: outside / out-group).
When talking to a client, your colleagues and even your company president belong to your side. You normally avoid elevating your own side over the client.
部長はもういらっしゃいます。
The manager is already here.
⇒ The manager may be treated respectfully.
Speaking to a client about your boss:
部長の田中はただ今、外出しております。
Our manager Tanaka is currently out of the office.
⇒ Tanaka is part of your in-group, so humble or neutral language is used.
Keigo changes with the current relationship and viewpoint, not only with a permanent ranking.
Common Keigo Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using Sonkeigo for Your Own Action
Incorrect when you mean “I will go/come.”
○ 私が参ります。
I will go / I will come.
Mistake 2: Using Kenjougo for the Customer’s Action
○ 担当者にお尋ねください。
Please ask the person in charge.
伺う is humble language for the speaker’s side, so it should not normally describe the customer’s action.
Mistake 3: Double Keigo
おっしゃる is already sonkeigo, and られる adds another respectful form.
○ おっしゃる
× ご覧になられる
○ ご覧になる
Some doubled forms occur in real life and a few have become established, but beginners are safest using the standard single respectful form.
Mistake 4: Mixing Sonkeigo and Kenjougo Patterns
This can mix the humble-looking ご～する pattern with respectful れる.
○ ご利用になる
○ 利用される
Mistake 5: Overusing させていただく
～させていただく is useful when the speaker receives permission or benefit, but it can become heavy when attached to every action.
本日は休業させていただきます。
We will be closed today.
Often simpler:
私が説明いたします。
I will explain.
Mistake 6: Believing More Keigo Is Always More Polite
Respect also comes from clear explanations, an appropriate tone, listening carefully, and considering the other person’s situation.
Keigo in Everyday Conversations
At a Store
What are you looking for?
Customer: この商品を見せていただけますか。
Could you show me this item?
Staff: はい、こちらをご覧ください。
Certainly. Please take a look here.
At School
When will the professor be in the office?
Staff: 午後三時ごろ戻られます。
The professor will return at around 3 p.m.
Student: では、三時に伺います。
Then I will visit at three.
In a Business Introduction
Nice to meet you. My name is Yamada from ABC Company.
本日は私がご案内いたします。
I will be your guide today.
どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。
Thank you in advance / I look forward to working with you.
Keigo in Anime, Drama, and Games
Keigo appears frequently in Japanese media, but the style changes according to the character.
こちらがご予約のお部屋でございます。
This is your reserved room.
Butler or attendant
お嬢様がお帰りになりました。
The young lady has returned.
Formal subordinate
私がご報告いたします。
I will report the matter.
Samurai-style character
拙者が参るでござる。
I shall go.
⇒ intentionally old-fashioned and stylized
Anime exaggerates some styles, but the grammar itself is part of modern daily Japanese.
How Should Beginners Study Keigo?
Become comfortable with です and ます.
Step 2
Learn the subject rule: their action = sonkeigo; my action = kenjougo.
Step 3
Memorize the ten most common special verb pairs.
Step 4
Learn complete phrases used in real situations.
Step 5
Study uchi/soto and business-specific conventions after the basics feel natural.
いらっしゃいます — go / come / be
おっしゃいます — say
ご覧ください — please look
伺います — visit / ask
申します — say / be called
いたします — do
拝見します — look at
いただきます — receive / eat / drink
Natural Example Sentences with Keigo
先生はもうお帰りになりました。
Sensei wa mō okaeri ni narimashita.
The teacher has already gone home.
社長はこの件をご存じです。
Shachō wa kono ken o gozonji desu.
The president knows about this matter.
お客様は何時にいらっしゃいますか。
Okyakusama wa nanji ni irasshaimasu ka?
What time will the customer arrive?
私が駅までご案内いたします。
Watashi ga eki made go-annai itashimasu.
I will guide you to the station.
先生の新しい本を拝見しました。
Sensei no atarashii hon o haiken shimashita.
I read the teacher’s new book.
明日の午後、研究室に伺ってもよろしいでしょうか。
Ashita no gogo, kenkyūshitsu ni ukagatte mo yoroshii deshō ka?
May I visit your office tomorrow afternoon?
私は鈴木と申します。
Watashi wa Suzuki to mōshimasu.
My name is Suzuki.
その件については存じません。
Sono ken ni tsuite wa zonjimasen.
I do not know about that matter.
こちらの用紙にお名前をご記入ください。
Kochira no yōshi ni onamae o go-kinyū kudasai.
Please write your name on this form.
ご不明な点がございましたら、お尋ねください。
Go-fumei na ten ga gozaimashitara, otazune kudasai.
Please ask if you have any questions.
部長の田中が後ほどご連絡いたします。
Buchō no Tanaka ga nochihodo go-renraku itashimasu.
Our manager Tanaka will contact you later.
本日はお越しいただき、誠にありがとうございます。
Honjitsu wa okoshi itadaki, makoto ni arigatō gozaimasu.
Thank you very much for coming today.
FAQ About Keigo
What does keigo mean in English?
Keigo means Japanese honorific or respectful language. It includes respectful, humble, polite, and beautifying forms.
What are the main types of keigo?
The traditional three types are sonkeigo, kenjougo, and teineigo. A modern five-part classification separates kenjougo into two categories and adds bikago.
What is sonkeigo?
Sonkeigo respectfully describes the actions, states, or possessions of the person being honored. Examples include いらっしゃる, おっしゃる, and 召し上がる.
What is kenjougo?
Kenjougo humbly describes actions performed by the speaker or the speaker’s group. Examples include 伺う, 申す, いたす, and 拝見する.
What is the difference between sonkeigo and kenjougo?
Use sonkeigo when the respected person performs the action. Use kenjougo when you or your in-group performs the action humbly.
Are desu and masu keigo?
Yes. です and ます are teineigo, the polite category of keigo.
What is teichougo?
Teichougo is another name for kenjougo II. It formally and humbly describes the actions of the speaker or the speaker’s group toward the listener.
What is bikago?
Bikago is beautifying language. It makes words sound refined, as in お酒, お料理, and ご飯, without necessarily honoring a specific person.
Do Japanese native speakers make keigo mistakes?
Yes. Keigo depends on grammar, relationships, and context, so native speakers also study it and sometimes make mistakes, particularly in formal workplaces.
Do tourists need to use advanced keigo?
No. Polite です／ます, greetings, thanks, and simple requests are enough for most travel situations. Understanding common keigo will help you follow customer-service Japanese.
Can I use keigo with friends?
You can, but elaborate keigo may sound distant, joking, or unusually formal among close friends. The appropriate level depends on the relationship.
What is double keigo?
Double keigo combines more than one respectful construction for the same word, as in おっしゃられる. Beginners should generally use the established single form おっしゃる.
Summary: Keigo Meaning and Types
敬語 means respectful, honorific, or polite Japanese language.
● Sonkeigo
Raises the actions or states of the respected person.
Example: 先生がいらっしゃいます。
● Kenjougo
Humbly describes actions by you or your group.
Example: 私が先生のところへ伺います。
● Teineigo
Makes the sentence polite to the listener with です and ます.
● Five modern categories
Sonkeigo, kenjougo I, kenjougo II/teichougo, teineigo, and bikago.
● Most important beginner question
Who is performing the action?
Their action ⇒ sonkeigo
My side’s action ⇒ kenjougo
● Best learning method
Learn frequent expressions as complete phrases and study them in realistic situations.
Ask who acts, whose side they belong to, and whom the sentence is respecting. The correct form will become much easier to choose.
Related Articles
- Japanese Formality Levels: A Beginner’s Guide
- What Does Gozaimasu Mean in English?
- Desu vs Da: What Is the Difference?
- Why Do Japanese Add O Before Words?
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs: The Basics of Keigo and Its Five Categories
- Agency for Cultural Affairs: Sonkeigo vs Kenjougo I and Common Mistakes
- Agency for Cultural Affairs: The Role and Attitude of Keigo
- Agency for Cultural Affairs: Keigo Learning Resources