Apr 21, 2016 · Keigo is the Japanese system of honorific language used to show respect, politeness, and humility depending on the social context. It reflects respect for hierarchy and social relationships. Using keigo correctly is essential in formal situations like work, customer service, and meeting new people.

You need to know keigo if you're in Japan – it's a fundamental part of Japanese! This guide will walk you through some basics and get you up to speed.

The Japanese language has a system of honorific speech, referred to as keigo (Japanese: 敬 けい 語 ご, literally "respectful language"), parts of speech one function of which is to show that the speaker wants to convey respect for either the listener or someone mentioned in the utterance.

Jan 24, 2025 · There are three types of keigo that are used based on the situation: sonkeigo (尊敬語) to show respect for others, kenjōgo (謙譲語) to be humble about yourself, and teineigo (丁寧語) for general politeness. It’s possible—and even likely—to use all three in the same conversation depending on who is talking to whom.

Sep 15, 2021 · The kanji for 敬語 (keigo), consists of 敬 (kei), which means “respectful or honored,” while 語 (go) means “language.” This tells us that keigo is polite or honorific language in Japanese. It is a relic of Japan’s caste system, which stood firm until the end of the Edo Period.

Aug 16, 2022 · Keigo is the Japanese polite form used when you meet someone for the first time or strangers, elders, people who have higher social status than you — and, often dismissed, when you’re talking to an out-group.

Sep 20, 2023 · What’s Japanese Keigo? 敬語 is a super polite form of Japanese used to either convey humility or respect. It’s a unique and beautiful part of the Japanese language and it gives learners insights about Japan’s culture of honor and respect.

As a beginner learning Japanese, understanding keigo can be both fascinating and challenging. In this blog post, we will explain the concept of keigo, its importance in Japanese culture, and provide examples of different honorific forms and their usage.

Politeness at its finest! Keigo (敬語) helps you show respect in conversations, whether with clients, elders, or strangers. 尊敬語 (Sonkeigo): To honor others (e.g., おっしゃいます = “say”). 謙譲語 (Kenjougo): To humble yourself (e.g., 申し上げます = “say humbly”). 丁寧語 (Teineigo): Polite expressions (e.g., します = “do”). Level up your Japanese and impress everyone!

Apr 21, 2016 · So in this article, we’re guiding you through all the nooks and crannies of Japanese keigo — from the viewpoint of a non-native. We’ll discuss the honorific forms, humble forms, conjugations and phrases. Japanese honorific. Jump to: When should I use keigo? Do you know that Japan had a caste system in the past?