The Basic Keigo System

What Is Keigo?

敬(けい)語(ご) (keigo) is the Japanese honorific language system. It is not just about being "polite" — it is a structured system for expressing social relationships through language. Keigo shows respect for the listener, humility about yourself, or general politeness in formal situations.

Using keigo correctly is essential in workplaces, formal interactions, and when speaking with people you do not know well. Even intermediate learners encounter keigo frequently in daily life — at shops, restaurants, and in business settings.

The Three Types

1. 尊(そん)敬(けい)語(ご) — Respectful Language

Used to elevate the actions of the person you are speaking about (your boss, a customer, a stranger). You use 尊(そん)敬(けい)語(ご) when describing what someone of higher status does.

Formation patterns:

• お + verb stem + になる: お読(よ)みになる (to read — respectful)
• Special replacement verbs: いらっしゃる, おっしゃる, 召(め)し上(あ)がる
• ～れる / ～られる (passive form used as light honorific)

2. 謙(けん)譲(じょう)語(ご) — Humble Language

Used to lower your own actions relative to the listener. You use 謙(けん)譲(じょう)語(ご) when describing what you or your in-group does.

Formation patterns:

• お + verb stem + する: お持(も)ちする (to carry — humble)
• Special replacement verbs: いたす, 申(もう)す, 参(まい)る

3. 丁(てい)寧(ねい)語(ご) — Polite Language

The most familiar form for learners: です and ます endings. 丁(てい)寧(ねい)語(ご) does not elevate or lower anyone — it simply makes speech polite and appropriate for formal situations.

Common Verb Transformations

The table below shows how everyday verbs change in each keigo type:

Plain	Meaning	Respectful ({尊	そん}{敬	けい}{語	ご})	Humble ({謙	けん}{譲	じょう}{語	ご})
{行	い}く / {来	く}る	go / come	いらっしゃる, おいでになる	{参	まい}る
いる	be (exist)	いらっしゃる	おる
{食	た}べる / {飲	の}む	eat / drink	{召	め}し{上	あ}がる	いただく
{言	い}う	say	おっしゃる	{申	もう}す, {申	もう}し{上	あ}げる
する	do	なさる	いたす
{見	み}る	see	ご{覧	らん}になる	{拝	はい}{見	けん}する
くれる	give (to me)	くださる	—
あげる	give	—	{差	さ}し{上	あ}げる
{知	し}る	know	ご{存	ぞん}じ	{存	ぞん}じる

When to Use Each Type

Use 尊(そん)敬(けい)語(ご) when talking about:

• Your boss or supervisor
• Customers or clients
• Older people you do not know well
• Teachers and professors

Use 謙(けん)譲(じょう)語(ご) when talking about:

• Yourself in formal situations
• Your own company or family (when speaking to outsiders)
• Actions you perform for someone of higher status

Use 丁(てい)寧(ねい)語(ご) (です/ます) when:

• Speaking to anyone you are not close friends with
• In any public or semi-formal situation
• As a default safe choice when unsure

Common Mistakes

1. Using respectful forms for yourself. Saying いらっしゃいます about your own actions is a common learner error. Respectful forms are for others; use humble forms for yourself.

1. Mixing levels inconsistently. Switching between casual and keigo within the same conversation (to the same person) sounds unnatural. Choose a level and maintain it.

1. Over-using keigo in casual settings. Using full keigo with close friends sounds stiff and distant. Save it for appropriate contexts.

1. Double honorifics. Saying お召(め)し上(あ)がりになる (adding お...になる to an already-respectful verb) is redundant and sounds awkward.

Tips for Learners

1. Master です/ます first. This is the most widely useful level and the foundation for all keigo.
2. Learn the irregular verbs. The special keigo verbs (いらっしゃる, おっしゃる, etc.) are used constantly — memorize them as vocabulary items.
3. Listen at workplaces and shops. Keigo is everywhere in Japanese service culture. Pay attention to how staff speak to customers.
4. When in doubt, use です/ます. It is always safer to be slightly too polite than too casual.