Keigo – The Levels of Formality in Japanese

Keigo (敬語) is the essence of respectful communication in Japan, reflecting the complexity and beauty of the Japanese language. More than just a simple set of rules, keigo is an expression of social hierarchy and mutual respect, elements deeply rooted in Japanese culture.

There are three main levels of keigo that correspond to nuances of formality: “Teineigo” (丁寧語), which is the basic level of politeness; “Sonkeigo” (尊敬語), used to express respect; and “Kenjougo” (謙譲語), which is used for humility. Each category has its own grammatical constructions and specific vocabulary, allowing speakers to navigate precisely through various social situations.

These levels of formality are not just a courtesy, but a vital part of daily communication, reflecting the position and relationship between people. The correct use of keigo can open doors and build bridges in social and professional interactions, while improper use can cause misunderstandings or even offenses. In this article, we will explore keigo in depth, uncovering its secrets and demonstrating how it shapes communication and relationships in Japan.

The Simple and Informal Form in Japanese

Before we dive into the complex levels of keigo, it is essential to understand the simple and informal form of Japanese, often used in more intimate contexts. Known as the dictionary form or “Taiyōkei (体言形), this linguistic approach is characterized by presenting words in their basic form, without the polite conjugations that accompany keigo.

This way of speaking is reserved for situations where intimacy and mutual comfort prevail, such as among family members and close friends. It is a straightforward and direct style, reflecting a level of closeness that dispenses with formalities. For example, the verb “to eat” in the dictionary form is たべる (taberu), while its polite form is たべます (tabemasu).

You can use verbs in the dictionary form with familiar people and verbs in the polite form with strangers. Of course, usage may vary depending on the situation or way of expression. It is not an absolute rule.

丁寧語 – Teineigo – Polite

Teineigo, or polite language, is the most commonly used form of keigo and is considered the standard of formality in the Japanese language. This level of keigo is employed to demonstrate courtesy and respect to people, especially when they occupy a social position higher than ours. It is the appropriate choice when addressing strangers, superiors, the elderly, or simply when one wishes to express respect in any social context.

The grammatical structures “masu” and “desu” are distinctive features of Teineigo. They transform communication into something more polished and formal, suitable for a wide range of situations, from casual conversations to professional interactions. For example, the verb “to eat” in its basic form is たべる (taberu), but in Teineigo, it becomes 食べます (tabemasu), reflecting a level of politeness appropriate for most daily interactions.

In addition to being the form taught to foreigners learning Japanese, Teineigo is widely used in formal media, such as newspapers and news broadcasts, due to its clarity and respectability. Mastery of Teineigo is essential for anyone who wishes to communicate effectively in Japan, as it establishes a tone of respect and professionalism.

尊敬語 –  Sonkeigo – Respectful

Sonkeigo, known as respectful or honorific language, is a level of keigo used to express the utmost reverence and respect for individuals who occupy high positions in the social hierarchy, such as superiors and clients. It is a form of language that elevates the person being referred to, almost to a level of veneration.

This form of keigo is a constant presence in customer service in stores, markets, pharmacies, and other commercial establishments. A familiar example is the greeting いらっしゃいませ (irasshaimase), often heard by customers upon entering a business, conveying a warm welcome and respect.

Sonkeigo is used to honor and exalt the mentioned person, and it is crucial to understand that it should never be used to refer to oneself or one’s own actions, as this would be considered arrogant and inappropriate. For example, the verb “to eat” in the honorific form is not simply the polite version, but transforms into 召しあがる (meshi agaru), conferring a high level of respect to the action.

謙譲語 – Kenjougo – Humble

Kenjougo, often referred to as the Humble Form, is a crucial aspect of keigo that reflects modesty and respect in Japanese culture. This level of formality is typically employed by individuals when addressing someone they consider superior or worthy of great respect. A classic example of this expression of humility is the phrase よろしくお願いします (yoroshiku onegai shimasu), which can be translated as “please be kind” or “nice to meet you,” depending on the context.

The use of Kenjougo is a way of placing oneself in a position of submission relative to the interlocutor, lowering oneself to elevate the other. It is common in situations where the speaker wishes to show deference or when their actions are intended to benefit or serve the person they are speaking to. Therefore, it is a form of keigo often heard from merchants and attendants, who use it to demonstrate their willingness to serve customers.

For example, the verb “to eat” in the humble form is not simply たべる (taberu), but transforms into 頂く(itadaku), indicating that the act of eating is performed with gratitude and respect, especially when receiving something from someone.

Mastering Verbs in Keigo

Learning Japanese can be a challenge, especially when it comes to mastering verbs in their multiple forms of courtesy. Four different forms for a single verb may seem intimidating at first glance. However, with time and immersion in Japanese life, the use of “Keigo” becomes second nature, even for natives who occasionally also encounter difficulties.

Studying these variations is essential to avoid getting lost in readings or dialogues. To facilitate your linguistic journey, I have prepared a list of essential verbs in keigo. Memorize them and you will be on the right path to communicate with confidence and respect in Japan.

Taiyōkei	Teineigo	Sonkeigo	Kenjōgo
見る miru	見ます mimasu	ご覧になる go-ran ni naru	拝見する suru Haiken
会う au	会います aimasu	.お会いになる o-ai ni naru	お目にかかる o-me ou Kakaru
ある aru	ござる gozaru
いる iru	おるoru	いらっしゃる irassharu おいでになる o-ide ni naru	おる oru
来る kuru 行く Iku	参る Mairu		伺う ukagau 参る Mairu
知る shiru	存じている Zonjite iru	ご存じ go-zonji	存じあげる zonji ageru
食べる taberu 飲む nomu	頂く itadaku	召しあがる meshi-agaru	頂く tadaku
もらう Morau	もらいます moraimasu		頂く itadaku 頂戴する Chodai-suru
やる yaru あげる ageru	あげます agemasu		差しあげる sashiageru
くれる kureru	くれます kuremasu	くださる Kudasaru
する suru	します shimasu	なさる nasaru	致す itasu
言う iu	言います iimasu	おっしゃる ossharu	申し上げる Moshi-ageru 申す Mosu
着る kiru	着ます kimasu	お召しになる omeshi ni naru
寝る neru	休みます Yasumimasu	お休みになる O yasumi ni naru
死ぬ Shinu	亡くなる Nakunaru	お亡くなりになる O nakunari ni naru

To conclude, let’s examine some examples and phrases using Keigo.

The first example shows the phrase “This is a book” in different levels of formality.

Taiyōkei	Teineigo	Sonkeigo	Kenjōgo
これは本だ kore wa hon da.	これは本ですkore wa hon desu.	これは本である kore wa hon de aru.	これは本でございます kore wa hon de gozaimasu.

The second example shows the way to make “requests or commands.” There are various different ways of formality for some occasions; let’s show the famous phrase to interact and ask for a favor or friendship.

1. よろしく 頼む – yoroshiku tanomu
2. よろしく 頼みます- yoroshiku tanomimasu
3. よろしく お願い します – yoroshiku onegai shimasu
4. よろしく お願い 致します。 – yoroshiku onegai itashimasu
5. よろしく お願い 申し上げます。- yoroshiku onegai mōshiagemasu

Of course, there are many other things not mentioned in this article that are related to keigo, such as honorific titles or Japanese suffixes. We recommend reading: Japanese Honorifics – The Meaning of san, kun, chan, and others