尊敬語(そんけいご)

そんけいご
noun
honorific language; respectful speech
1. honorific language; respectful speech
One of the three main categories of keigo (polite language) in Japanese. Honorific language elevates the actions or state of the person being spoken about, showing respect toward them.
尊敬語(そんけいご)を使(つか)う。
To use honorific language.
「いらっしゃる」は「いる」の尊敬語(そんけいご)です。
"Irassharu" is the honorific form of "iru."
目上(めうえ)の人(ひと)に対(たい)しては尊敬語(そんけいご)を正(ただ)しく使(つか)えるようにしましょう。
Let's learn to use honorific language correctly when speaking to superiors.

USAGE:
One of the three categories of 敬語(けいご) (polite language): 尊敬語(そんけいご) (honorific — elevates others), 謙譲語(けんじょうご) (humble — lowers yourself), and 丁寧語(ていねいご) (polite — です/ます forms). 尊敬語(そんけいご) is used when referring to the actions of someone you respect.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 尊敬語(そんけいご)を使(つか)う (to use honorific language)
  • 尊敬語(そんけいご)の動詞(どうし) (honorific verbs)
  • 尊敬語(そんけいご)と謙譲語(けんじょうご) (honorific and humble language)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 謙譲語(けんじょうご): humble language — lowers the speaker's actions
  • 丁寧語(ていねいご): polite language — です/ます style
  • 敬語(けいご): polite/honorific language — the umbrella term for all three

Related Articles

The Basic Keigo System
general
Added 2026.3.16 9:42
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