御 令 息(ごれいそく)

ごれいそく

noun

(someone else's) son

formalhonorificfamily

1. your son; someone else's son (respectful)

A respectful term for the son of the person one is addressing or referring to, used in formal speech, letters, and ceremonial occasions. The female counterpart is 御令嬢(ごれいじょう).

御令息(ごれいそく)のご活躍(かつやく)を伺(うかが)いました。

I have heard of your son's fine accomplishments.

この度(たび)は御令息(ごれいそく)のご結婚(けっこん)、おめでとうございます。

Congratulations on your son's marriage.

社長(しゃちょう)の御令息(ごれいそく)が会社(かいしゃ)を継(つ)ぐことになった。

The president's son is to take over the company.

Formed from the honorific prefix 御(ご) + 令息(れいそく) (another's son). A formal keigo term used to elevate the listener's family; never used for one's own son.

Usage

Appears mainly in formal letters, speeches, and announcements (weddings, funerals, business).
In everyday conversation, 息子(むすこ)さん is the ordinary polite equivalent.

Similar words

御令嬢(ごれいじょう): your daughter (honorific) — the female counterpart.
息子(むすこ)さん: your son — polite but far more casual and common in speech.

Related Words

Compare: 御令嬢 (your daughter)

Compare: ご子息(しそく) (son (honorific))

Compare: 息子(むすこ)さん (your son)

general

Added 2026.7.11 9:20 · Revised 2026.10.1 18:55

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