Japanese Honorific Conjugations: Speak Japanese with Respect
In Japanese culture, language is more than just a way to talk—it’s a key to expressing respect, because social hierarchy is so important in Japan. Honorifics aren’t just about being polite; they’re about understanding the deeply rooted traditions of consideration and respect for others.
The honorific system in Japanese may seem complex and layered, but think of it as learning the different ways to show respect through language. In Japanese, respect is built right into the grammar itself. This is done through specific verb and adjective conjugations that change depending on the relationship between the speaker and the listener or the subject of the conversation.
At the heart of Japanese honorifics are three key forms. Let’s explore what makes each one special and how you can start using them in your conversations:
- Teineigo (丁寧語) – Polite Language: This is the most commonly used form of honorifics, appropriate for everyday interactions where a degree of politeness is required. It’s the default mode of speech in most social situations and is considered neutral but polite.
- Sonkeigo (尊敬語) – Respectful Language: Sonkeigo is used to show respect to the person you are talking to or about, typically someone of higher status, such as a boss, teacher, or elder. This form often involves altering verbs or using entirely different words to elevate the respectfulness of the sentence.
- Kenjougo (謙譲語) – Humble Language: Kenjougo is used by the speaker to humble themselves or their in-group when speaking to someone of higher status. This form often involves making oneself or one’s actions appear less significant as a way of showing respect.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the ins and outs of Japanese honorific conjugations. We’ll break down the rules for regular verbs and adjectives, dive into the tricky irregular forms, and give you plenty of examples to help you practice in your everyday conversations.
Conjugating Regular Verbs into Honorific Forms
Teineigo (丁寧語)
Teineigo is your go-to level of polite language. It’s simple and easy to use—just add the suffix -ます (masu) to the verb stem, and you’re all set to speak politely!
Examples:
| Word Type | Basic Form | Conjugation | Honorific Form | Sentence Example |
| Verb | 食べる (taberu) | 食べ + ます | 食べます | 私は寿司を食べます。 (I eat sushi.) |
| Verb | 行く (iku) | 行き + ます | 行きます | 学校に行きます。(I go to school.) |
Sonkeigo (尊敬語)
Sonkeigo is the form you’ll use to show extra respect, especially when talking about someone important. Sometimes, it means changing the verb completely, or you might just add -られる (-rareru) or -なさる (-nasaru) to the verb.
Another common way to express respect in Sonkeigo is the “お/ご + Verb Stem + になる” form.
- お (o) is used for native Japanese verbs, and ご (go) is for Sino-Japanese verbs.
- Add になる (ni naru) to the verb stem to show respect for someone’s actions.
For example, “帰る” (kaeru, to return) becomes “お帰りになる” (okaeri ni naru), and “座る” (suwaru, to sit) becomes “お座りになる” (osuwari ni naru). This form is great for elevating the person you’re talking about in a polite and formal way.
Kenjougo (謙譲語)
Kenjougo is used to humble the speaker when referring to their own actions or the actions of their in-group. This form often involves the prefix お (o) or ご (go) and changing the verb to a specific humble form.
Examples:
| Word Type | Basic Form | Conjugation | Honorific Form | Sentence Example |
| Verb | する (suru) | いたす | いたします | 私がいたします。(I will do it.) |
| Verb | もらう (morau) | 頂く (itadaku) | 頂きます | 先生から本を頂きます。 (I receive a book from the teacher.) |
Conjugating Adjectives into Honorific Forms
Did you know that even adjectives in Japanese can get a respectful upgrade? When using Sonkeigo and Kenjougo, you’ll often add お (o) or ご (go) to give your adjectives that extra touch of politeness.
Examples:
| Word Type | Basic Form | Conjugation | Honorific Form | Sentence Example |
| Adjective | 早い (hayai) | お + 早い (o-hayai) | お早い | お早い時間にありがとうございます。 (Thank you for coming so early.) |
| Adjective | 元気 (genki) | ご + 健康 (go-kenkō) | ご健康 | ご健康をお祈りいたします。 (I pray for your health.) |
Irregular Honorific Verbs
Just like in any language, Japanese has a few tricky verbs that don’t play by the usual rules. But don’t worry! With a bit of practice, you’ll get the hang of these irregular honorific verbs in no time.
| Word Type | Basic Form | Sonkeigo Form | Sentence Example |
| Verb | する (suru) | なさる | 部長がなさいます。(The boss will do it.) |
| Verb | いる (iru) / ある (aru) | いらっしゃる | 部長がいらっしゃいます。(The boss is here.) |
| Verb | 言う (iu) | おっしゃる | 先生がおっしゃいます。(The teacher says…) |
In addition to the irregular honorific verbs shown above, some honorifics in Japanese take on entirely different forms and are not conjugated from the original verb. These forms are essential for formal interactions and must be memorized.
Getting the hang of Japanese honorifics is key to smooth and respectful communication, especially in formal situations. It might feel like a challenge at first, but with a little practice, you’ll find yourself using these forms naturally. Remember, every step you take in mastering honorifics brings you closer to fluency and understanding the heart of Japanese culture.
Keep practicing, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes along the way—they’re part of the learning process. You’ve got this!
