JLPT N3 Intermediate

敬語

Honorific language system comprising respectful, humble, and polite forms

Readings

Other forms

尊敬語 sonkeigo - respectful

謙譲語 kenjōgo - humble

丁寧語 teineigo - polite

Noun

Polite / Respectful Language

Refers to the collective system of honorifics used to express social distance, rank, and intimacy between speakers.

Good to know

敬語（けいご） is the umbrella term for Japanese honorific language. It is used to show respect, manage social distance, and fit the situation, especially at work, with customers, or with people you do not know well.

The three core types are:

尊敬語（そんけいご）: respectful language that raises the other person or someone outside your group, such as a customer, teacher, or boss.

謙譲語（けんじょうご）: humble language that lowers yourself or your group when speaking to someone you should respect.

丁寧語（ていねいご）: polite language, mainly です and ます, used to keep a generally courteous tone.

A key idea is in-group vs. out-group. Your family, team, or company can become your “in-group.” Customers, clients, and outsiders are the “out-group.”

Important warning: when speaking to a client, do not use 尊敬語（そんけいご） for your own boss’s actions. Even if your boss is above you, your boss belongs to your in-group in that situation. Use 謙譲語（けんじょうご） instead to show respect to the client.

Example

敬語には、尊敬語、謙譲語、丁寧語の三つの種類があります。

There are three types of honorifics: respectful language, humble language, and polite language.

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敬語

けいご

Honorific language system comprising respectful, humble, and polite forms

Example

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