Lesson25:Humble Expression-Mastering Kenjōgo: The Art of Humble Language in Japanese

Japanese honorifics, known collectively as Keigo (敬語), can be a daunting aspect of the language for learners. Among the three main categories – Teineigo (丁寧語), Sonkeigo (尊敬語), and Kenjōgo (謙譲語) – Kenjōgo often poses a particular challenge. While Teineigo is polite everyday language and Sonkeigo elevates the status of the person you’re speaking to or about, Kenjōgo serves a unique and crucial purpose: to humble yourself or your in-group in order to show respect to an out-group individual.

Think of it as gracefully lowering your own status to elevate the listener’s. This subtle act of self-effacement is a cornerstone of Japanese politeness and essential for navigating formal and business interactions.

What is Kenjōgo and Why is it Used?

At its core, Kenjōgo is used when you are talking about your own actions, or the actions of your “in-group” (such as your company, family, or immediate team), to someone outside that group who is of higher status or simply an external party (like a client or a business partner).

The primary goal is to demonstrate respect, humility, and deference towards the listener or the third party being discussed. By making your own actions sound humble, you acknowledge the other person’s elevated position. It’s not about self-deprecation in a negative sense, but rather a sophisticated way of showing consideration and respect.

Key Scenarios for Using Kenjōgo

You’ll primarily use Kenjōgo in these situations:

• When speaking to a superior, a client, or a business associate: This is the most common use. You’ll use Kenjōgo when describing your own activities or your company’s activities to external parties.
• When introducing yourself or your in-group members: Using Kenjōgo verbs for your own name or when referring to your colleagues to an outsider.
• In formal letters, emails, and presentations: Written communication in business and formal settings heavily relies on Kenjōgo.

Comprehensive List of Kenjōgo Expressions

Here’s a comprehensive table of common Kenjōgo expressions. Many Kenjōgo forms involve specific verb changes, while others use the お/ご + verb stem + する/いたす pattern.

Focusing on Key Kenjōgo Patterns

Let’s dive deeper into some of the most frequently used Kenjōgo forms.

The Versatile “お〜する” / “ご〜する” Form

This is one of the most common and versatile ways to create Kenjōgo, especially when you are performing an action for someone else’s benefit or in a humble manner. You attach お (o) or ご (go) to the verb stem, followed by する (suru) or いたす (itasu) (the Kenjōgo form of suru). This pattern emphasizes that the action is performed by you or your in-group, for the benefit of the listener.

• お待ちする (o-machi suru) – to wait (humbly, often for someone)
• ご連絡する (go-renraku suru) – to contact (humbly, often to someone)
• お送りいたします (o-okuri itashimasu) – to send (humbly)

Examples:

• 後ほど私 (わたし) からご連絡 (ごれんらく) いたします。
  • (Nochihodo watashi kara go-renraku itashimasu.)
  • I will contact you later (humbly).
• 資料 (しりょう) は私 (わたし) がお持ち (おもち) します。
  • (Shiryō wa watashi ga omochi shimasu.)
  • I will bring the documents (humbly).

「する」 (to do) becomes 「いたす」 (itasu)

The verb する (suru), meaning “to do” or “to perform,” is one of the most common verbs in Japanese. Its Kenjōgo equivalent is いたす (itasu). You use itasu when you are the one doing the action, and you want to express humility towards the listener or a higher-status person.

Key Usage:

• When talking about an action you perform.
• When your company or in-group performs an action.
• It’s a more formal and humble way to say “I will do” or “we will do.”

Examples:

• 私が担当 (たんとう) いたします。
  • (Watashi ga tantō itashimasu.)
  • I will be in charge (humbly).
  • Here, you’re performing the action of “being in charge.”
• 明日 (あした)、ご連絡 (ごれんらく) いたします。
  • (Ashita, go-renraku itashimasu.)
  • I will contact you tomorrow (humbly).
  • You are the one making the contact.
• ご説明 (せつめい) いたしましょうか。
  • (Go-setsumei itashimashō ka.)
  • Shall I explain (humbly)?
  • Offering to perform an action for someone.

「もらう」 (to receive) / 「あげる」 (to give) becomes 「いただく」 (itadaku) / 「差し上げる」 (sashiageru)

This pair of verbs relates to giving and receiving.

「もらう」 (morau – to receive) becomes 「いただく」 (itadaku)

いただく (itadaku) is the Kenjōgo form of もらう (morau). It signifies that you are humbly receiving something. This can be a physical item, an opportunity, or even a kind word. Importantly, itadaku also replaces 食べる (taberu – to eat) and 飲む (nomu – to drink), implying you are humbly “receiving” the food or drink.

Key Usage:

• When you receive something from someone of higher status.
• When you humbly eat or drink something.

Examples:

• お褒 (ほ) め の言葉 (ことば) をいただき、ありがとうございます。
  • (O-home no kotoba o itadaki, arigatō gozaimasu.)
  • Thank you for the compliment (humbly received).
  • You are humbly receiving praise.
• 大変 (たいへん) 貴重 (きちょう) なご意見 (いけん) をいただきました。
  • (Taihen kichō na go-iken o itadakimashita.)
  • I received a very valuable opinion (humbly).
  • Receiving advice or feedback.
• こちらでコーヒーをいただきます。
  • (Kochira de kōhī o itadakimasu.)
  • I will have coffee here (humbly).
  • Humbly eating or drinking.

「あげる」 (ageru – to give) becomes 「差し上げる」 (sashiageru)

差し上げる (sashiageru) is the Kenjōgo form of あげる (ageru). You use sashiageru when you are giving something to someone of higher status or someone outside your in-group, to show respect to them.

Key Usage:

• When you give something to a superior, client, or an out-group member.
• The action of giving originates from you or your in-group, directed humbly to the recipient.

Examples:

• 資料 (しりょう) を後 (あと) で差し上げます。
  • (Shiryō o ato de sashiagemasu.)
  • I will give you the documents later (humbly).
  • You are humbly offering the documents.
• こちらの商品 (しょうひん) を差し上げます。
  • (Kochira no shōhin o sashiagemasu.)
  • I will give you this product (humbly).
  • Humbly presenting an item.

「行く」 (to go) / 「聞く」 (to ask/hear) becomes 「伺う」 (ukagau)

伺う (ukagau) is a highly versatile Kenjōgo verb because it humbly replaces two common actions: “to go/visit” and “to ask/hear.”

Replacement for 「行く」 (iku – to go / to visit)

When you are the one going to visit someone’s place, a company, or attending an event related to a superior, you use ukagau.

Key Usage:

• When you go to a place associated with the person you are showing respect to.
• When you visit someone’s company or home.

Examples:

• 明日 (あした)、御社 (おんしゃ) に伺 (うかが) います。
  • (Ashita, onsha ni ukagaimasu.)
  • I will visit your company tomorrow (humbly).
  • You are humbly going to their company.
• 後 (あと) でお宅 (たく) に伺 (うかが) います。
  • (Ato de otaku ni ukagaimasu.)
  • I will visit your home later (humbly).
  • Humbly going to someone’s residence.

Replacement for 「聞く」 (kiku – to ask / to hear)

When you are asking a question to a superior, listening to what they say, or inquiring about something from them, you use ukagau.

Key Usage:

• When you humbly ask a question.
• When you humbly hear or learn something from a higher-status person.

Examples:

• 少々 (しょうしょう) 伺 (うかが) ってもよろしいでしょうか。
  • (Shōshō ukagatte mo yoroshii deshou ka.)
  • May I ask a moment (humbly)?
  • You are humbly requesting to ask a question.
• ご意見 (いけん) を伺 (うかが) いたいのですが。
  • (Go-iken o ukagaitai no desu ga.)
  • I would like to hear your opinion (humbly).
  • Humbly seeking someone’s opinion.

Kenjōgo vs. Sonkeigo: A Critical Difference

It’s vital not to confuse Kenjōgo with Sonkeigo, as their functions are opposite:

• Kenjōgo: Humbles your own actions or your in-group’s actions.
  • Example: 私 (わたし) が参 (まい) ります。(Watashi ga mairimasu.) – I will come (humbly).
• Sonkeigo: Elevates the actions of the listener or a third party.
  • Example: 先生 (せんせい) がいらっしゃいます。(Sensei ga irasshaimasu.) – The teacher will come (respectfully).

Using the wrong honorific can lead to misunderstandings or even sound impolite, so understanding this distinction is key.

When to Use Kenjōgo (and When to Avoid It)

Use Kenjōgo when:

• Speaking to clients, customers, supervisors, or anyone of higher status than yourself.
• Referring to your own actions or your company’s actions when interacting with external parties.
• You want to express utmost respect and politeness.

Avoid Kenjōgo when:

• Speaking about the actions of the person you are elevating (use Sonkeigo instead).
• Speaking casually with friends, family, or those of equal or lower status. Overuse in informal settings can sound overly stiff or even sarcastic.

Conclusion

Mastering Kenjōgo is a significant step towards achieving fluency and cultural understanding in Japanese. It’s more than just a grammatical rule; it’s a reflection of the intricate social dynamics and respect inherent in Japanese communication. By humbly presenting your own actions, you create a foundation of politeness that enhances your interactions in formal and business contexts.