Lesson24:Honorific Verbs-Mastering Sonkeigo (尊敬語 – そんけいご): Japanese Honorifics for Showing Respect

Japanese honorifics, or keigo (敬語 – けいご), are a vital part of the language, reflecting its deep cultural emphasis on respect and social hierarchy. Among the different types of keigo, Sonkeigo (尊敬語 – そんけいご) is used specifically to show respect towards the person you’re talking to or the person you’re talking about (the subject of the sentence).

You’ll use Sonkeigo primarily when addressing or referring to people of higher status, such as your teachers, superiors, customers, or even someone you’ve just met.

How to Form Sonkeigo: Types and Usage

There are a few ways to transform a verb into its Sonkeigo form.

The “お (o) / ご (go) 〜になる (ni naru)” Pattern

This is a very common and versatile way to form Sonkeigo. You attach お (o) or ご (go) to the stem of the verb (the ます – masu form without ます – masu) and add 〜になる (ni naru).

• For Wago (和語 – わご – Native Japanese words) verbs:お (o) + verb stem + になる (ni naru)
  • 書く (kaku – write) → お書きになる (okaki ni naru)
  • 読む (yomu – read) → お読みになる (oyomi ni naru)
  • 話す (hanasu – speak) → お話しになる (ohanashi ni naru)
  • 待つ (matsu – wait) → お待ちになる (omachi ni naru)
  • 帰る (kaeru – return) → お帰りになる (okaeri ni naru)
• For Kango (漢語 – かんご – Sino-Japanese words) verbs (often ending in 〜する – suru): ご (go) + verb stem (before 〜する) + になる (ni naru)
  • 説明する (setsumei suru – explain) → ご説明になる (gosetsumei ni naru)
  • 利用する (riyō suru – use) → ご利用になる (goriyō ni naru)
  Important Note: Some common verbs like いる (iru – be), 行く (iku – go), 来る (kuru – come), する (suru – do), 食べる (taberu – eat), 飲む (nomu – drink), and 見る (miru – see) do not use this pattern. They have special Sonkeigo forms (see below).

Using the Passive Voice (受け身形 – うけみけい)

The passive voice form of a verb can also be used as Sonkeigo, though it sounds a bit more formal or stiff compared to the “お (o) / ご (go) 〜になる (ni naru)” pattern.

• How to form: Verb’s mizenkei (未然形 – みぜんけい – imperfective form) + れる (reru) / られる (rareru)
  • Godan (五段 – ごだん) verbs: 書く (kaku) → 書かれる (kakareru); 話す (hanasu) → 話される (hanasareru)
  • Ichidan (一段 – いちだん) verbs: 見る (miru) → 見られる (mirareru); 食べる (taberu) → 食べられる (taberareru)
  • Irregular verbs: する (suru) → される (sareru); 来る (kuru) → 来られる (korareru)

Special Sonkeigo Forms

These are specific verbs that change into a completely different form when used as Sonkeigo. They are very common in daily conversation and business settings, so it’s essential to memorize them.

When to Use Sonkeigo: Scenario Examples

Sonkeigo is used when the person you are talking to, or the subject of your sentence, is someone you need to show respect to. Let’s look at some specific situations.

Scenario 1: Conversations with Superiors or Teachers

• Using 「いらっしゃる」 (irassharu) (for いる – iru, 行く – iku, 来る – kuru)
  • Usage: When asking about the location or actions of a superior in the company, or your teacher.
  • Examples:
    • 「佐藤部長 (さとうぶちょう) は、今 (いま)いらっしゃいますか。」 (Is Manager Satō here now?)
    • 「部長 (ぶちょう) は、もう会議室 (かいぎしつ) へいらっしゃいましたか。」 (Has the manager already gone to the meeting room?)
    • 「田中先生 (たなかせんせい) がもうすぐこちらへいらっしゃいますよ。」 (Professor Tanaka will be coming here soon.)
• Using 「おっしゃる」 (ossharu) (for 言う – iu)
  • Usage: When referring to something your teacher or boss said.
  • Examples:
    • 「先生 (せんせい) が、レポートの提出期限 (ていしゅつきげん) は来週 (らいしゅう) だとおっしゃいました。」 (The teacher said that the report deadline is next week.)
    • 「部長 (ぶちょう) は、このプロジェクトは重要 (じゅうよう) だとおっしゃっていました。」 (The manager was saying that this project is important.)
• Using 「なさる」 (nasaru) (for する – suru)
  • Usage: When asking about what your superior or teacher will do.
  • Examples:
    • 「課長 (かちょう) は、今日 (きょう) ゴルフをなさいますか。」 (Where will the section chief have lunch today?)
    • 「先生 (せんせい) は、この後 (あと) 何をなさいますか。」 (What will the teacher do after this?)

Scenario 2: Conversations with Customers

• Using 「召し上がる」 (meshiagaru) (for 食べる – taberu / 飲む – nomu)
  • Usage: When offering food or drinks to a customer, or asking if they have eaten/drunk.
  • Examples:
    • 「お客様 (おきゃくさま)、どうぞお茶 (おちゃ) を召し上がってください。」 (Customer, please have some tea.)
    • 「ランチはもう召し上がりましたか。」 (Have you already had lunch?)
• Using 「ご覧になる」 (goran ni naru) (for 見る – miru)
  • Usage: When asking a customer to look at documents or products.
  • Examples:
    • 「こちらの資料 (しりょう) をご覧になりますか。」 (Would you like to see these materials?)
    • 「先ほど (さきほど) お送 (おく) りしたメールはもうご覧になりましたか。」 (Have you already seen the email I sent earlier?)

Scenario 3: General Honorific Expressions

• Using 「〜てくださる」 (te kudasaru) (for 〜てくれる – te kureru)
  • Usage: When expressing gratitude for something a superior has done for you.
  • Examples:
    • 「部長 (ぶちょう) が、私 (わたし) の企画書 (きかくしょ) を見てくださいました。」 (The manager looked at my proposal for me.)
    • 「先生 (せんせい) が、親切 (しんせつ) に教 (おし) えてくださいました。」 (The teacher kindly taught me.)
• Using 「お (o) / ご (go) 〜になる (ni naru)」
  • Usage: For general actions of a superior.
  • Examples:
    • 「社長 (しゃちょう) は、毎日 (まいにち) 早 (はや) く会社 (かいしゃ) にお出かけになります。」 (The CEO leaves for the office early every day.)
    • 「お客様 (おきゃくさま) は、どちらのホテルにご宿泊 (しゅくはく) になりますか。」 (Which hotel will the customer be staying at?)

Important Considerations for Using Sonkeigo

• Do Not Use for Yourself or Your In-Group: Sonkeigo is about showing respect to others. You never use it for yourself, your family members, or colleagues from your own company (when speaking to someone outside your company). For your own actions, you would typically use Kenjōgo (謙譲語 – けんじょうご – Humble Language).
• Avoid Overuse: Using too much Sonkeigo, or using it in inappropriate situations, can sound unnatural or even sarcastic. The key is to use the right level of politeness for the context.
• Distinguish from Kenjōgo: Sonkeigo elevates the actions of others, while Kenjōgo humbles your own actions to show respect to the other person. Understanding this fundamental difference is crucial for proper keigo usage.

Sonkeigo can feel challenging at first, but it’s a critical part of Japanese communication. By practicing with these examples and focusing on the situations where they are used, you’ll gradually become more comfortable and confident!