Questions tagged [keigo]
敬語. Honorific speech in Japanese.
20
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1answer
2k views
Can polite and casual Japanese be combined?
What I mean is, is there any overlap? are you allowed to speak in a way that combines both forms of speech?
like are there words that, even if using formal speech, are typical to use casual speech ...
5
votes
1answer
99 views
Both parties in conversation using *kenjougo*?
So I'm reading a kid's story, where a tanuki with a swollen stomach calls a rabbit doctor.
I believe that both parties are using kenjougo/sonkeigo when speaking with each other. (I'm guessing that ...
11
votes
1answer
229 views
I don't understand how お世話になっております is a valid expression
In a post about the validity of お待ちになっております:
The grammar おVになる is 尊敬語, respect language. You can't use it to talk
about yourself. -ておる, on the other hand, is 謙譲語 (well, in the
standard dialect ...
6
votes
1answer
94 views
How do I figure out what the implied subject is?
I was doing some JLPT N2 practice and I came across this:
あのう、山本先生でいらっしゃいますか。私、先日、先生の講演会で（ ）鈴木と申します。
１ ご覧になった
２ お会いになった
３ お目にかかった
４ お伺いした
My thinking:
Some form of 会った should ...
0
votes
0answers
27 views
Need help translating Keigo 伺う、おいでいただき [duplicate]
What does this sentence mean.
こちらからお願いに伺うべきところを、先方からおいでいただき 、恐縮した
I am confused about お願いに伺う
What is the meaning for 伺う here?
and おいでいただき
Please help.
4
votes
1answer
64 views
どうして「お聞き遊ばして」が現代語訳では「お吸いなさいまして」になるのか分からない
現代訳を頼りに、泉鏡花さんの「外科室」を読もうとしているところですが、分からない箇所があります。
原文の
看護婦は医学士の旨を領してのち、かの腰元に立ち向かいて、
「もう、なんですから、あのことを、ちょっと、あなたから」
腰元はその意を得て、手術台に擦り寄りつ、優に膝のあたりまで両手を下げて、しとやかに立礼し、
「夫人、ただいま、お薬を差し上げます。どうぞそれを、...
1
vote
1answer
83 views
Family questions
When I speak with my mother I must say "haha", when I talk about other people's mother, I must say "okaasan", but what about when I talk about my mother to other people?
There is nothing about that ...
1
vote
1answer
77 views
How can one determine the appropriate meaning of 伺う in formal speech?
Is it based on the particle connecting the object of the verb?
For example,
に/へ伺う
to go
vs
を伺う
to ask
Is it purely based on the context of the sentence for distinguishing between ...
6
votes
1answer
138 views
Are both of these correct sentences: 「ここに住所を書いてくださいますか？」「ここに住所を書いてくださいませんか？」？
I believe 「ここに住所を書いてくださいますか？」 means “Could you please write the address here?”
And 「ここに住所を書いてくださいませんか？」 means “Would you please write the address here?”
An exercise I’m doing shows the second ...
6
votes
1answer
166 views
Relationship between Respect and Politeness in Japanese
As I begin to learn sonkeigo and kenjougo, I have come across several websites stating that levels of politeness and levels of respect are independent and not to be confused. I understand the concept ...
1
vote
1answer
77 views
Can I say がございませんですが？ Does it make sense?
With context:
「アレルギーがございませんですが、何をいただけばいいでございますか。」
Does this make sense? I'm trying to write in humble form and trying to connect the two sentences by using ”が” as "but", however I'm not sure how to ...
1
vote
1answer
73 views
Grammar explanation for と粘ってよかった
I'm trying to translate a conversation where one person compliments another person, and they replied with:
そうおっしゃっていただけると粘ってよかったと思います！ありがとうございます！
粘る (ねばる) - "to persist"
I think it roughly ...
4
votes
1answer
382 views
Equivalent of “Yes sir/ma'am” for children
I have taught my kids to answer adults with "Yes sir/ma'am" as both a sign of respect, and as confirmation that they were actually listening.
I'm wondering if there's an equivalent in Japanese. My ...
2
votes
1answer
89 views
くださるんじゃ…: Formal, semi-casual, poor usage, etc.?
それって先生が決めて、一緒に行ってくださるんじゃ…。
*From Japanesetest4you.
My understanding:
くださる is the honorific version of くれる
ん is from の, explanatory
じゃ, contracted では, usually in the form of rhetorical じゃない, or the ...
1
vote
1answer
124 views
謙譲語： More info on お目にかかる & お目もじする?
From my understanding, 伺う is the humble version of 会う, which means to pay someone / some place a visit, and requires a recipient. However, on this website, the humble version of 会う is listed as お目にかかる ...
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2answers
140 views
4
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2answers
217 views
「ご覧ください」v.s.「ご覧をください」
It seems that 「ご覧」 is treated as a noun (with a verb origin) in phrases such as 「ご覧になる」.
One may reasonably expect that when used with 「ください / いただく」, 「ご覧」 can, or even should, be followed by 「を」.
...
1
vote
1answer
103 views
Adding honorific prefix in a compound construction? (E.g. 買ってくれになる)
I'm currently learning how to use くれる/あげる correctly, and I want to practice using 敬語 in my sentence. However, I am not sure where I should put the pre-verb honorific prefix お used in おVERB+になります as I ...
2
votes
1answer
85 views
How to combine the honourific conjugation and て form?
I was trying to use combined verbs like 忘れてしまう, 連れて行く or 持ってくる with the honourific conjugation お stem になる. What is the correct way to use that conjugation with these types of verbs?
1
vote
1answer
92 views
Is ます omitted in “てしまいすみません”
I understand that しまう means unintended action, or the completion of an action. However, recently I came across this usage in the comment section on a website:
遅くなってしまいすみません。
While I understand this ...
0
votes
0answers
68 views
What is this combination of 'to' and 'no' particles mean? [duplicate]
I have reading a lesson in japanese regarding keigo. where I saw this line .
先ほど 、山田様 と いう かた が お見えになりました。
一階 の ロビー で お待ちして いる と の 事 で
ございます。
I am not able to understand " iru to no " part of the ...
0
votes
1answer
119 views
Asking a business contact to make a request on my behalf?
I am helping to plan an event featuring the work of a Japanese artist. I'm speaking to his representative, and would like to ask the question,
Can you ask (name) if he would be willing to write a ...
-3
votes
1answer
107 views
part time job and visa vocabs [closed]
this was my email to my prospective employer
ご返信ありがとうございました。
今学生ビザを持っていますが、労働許可証を持っていません。
労働許可証もご所望ですか？
どうぞよろしくお願いいたします
I was wondering if I needed work permit to work too.
his reply was:
...
1
vote
2answers
441 views
What's the difference between よろしくねがいする and よろしくおねがいします?
よろしくねがいする as opposed to よろしくおねがいします.
This is, at this point, probably outside of my level.
I would like to know if よろしくねがいする:
is used and correct, and
has the same nuance and context.
While not ...
1
vote
1answer
111 views
Shouldn't お疲れ様でございます be お疲れ様でいらっしゃいます？
When addressing a superior, I've often heard people saying お疲れ様でございます, but でございます is a 謙譲語 form. Since they are talking about how hard their superior worked, shouldn't the phrase be transformed to 尊敬語,...
3
votes
1answer
121 views
Is ます omitted here in 楽しい旅行をしていらっしゃい?
I just learned a useful phrase, but immediately I already have a few questions about its structure and grammar.
The phrase:
楽しい旅行を!
Is this a set phrase short for:
楽しい旅行をしていらっしゃい
If so, why ...
2
votes
1answer
79 views
In which context the sonkeigo is used with the imperative form?
I've encountered this example sentence for the word ポテトチップス (so there is no further context) where it is the case:
もっとポテトチップスをご自由に召し上がれ。
Help yourself to more potato chips.
And then I find ...
2
votes
2answers
93 views
What's the meaning and use of しまわれました in this sentence
I'm doing an exercise in my textbook on 尊敬語、and there's a sentence that I don't understand well.
The sentence is:
もう論文かいてしまわれましたか｡
Is "しまわれました" the past tense of "いる"?
If so, with the 尊敬語 ...
1
vote
3answers
2k views
ご・おXXXいただく（？） vs ご・おXXXください
I know that ください one is nicely phrased command, like ご注意ください。Is there similar construction with いただく、how is it formed and what does it mean?
3
votes
2answers
438 views
Is てもらう・てくださる the same thing as ご・おverbstemいただく・ください(but less formal)? What about ていだたけませんか etc（て constructions) then?
Is てもらう・てくださる the same thing as ご・おverbstemいただく・ください(but less formal)?
Example sentence:
安全にご使用いただくために下記の点にご注意願います。
2
votes
1answer
121 views
Please help with this text
For full context, see here.
The section in question:
今日は、日本で長くお暮しの４人の外国の奥様においでいただきました。一番長い方は15年、短い方でも6年はいらっしゃるそうです。その間のご苦労や嬉しかったことなどを伺いたいと思います。
So first, I have some issues with 長くお暮しの４人の外国の奥様. ...
2
votes
1answer
372 views
Question about もらう／いただく
I just encountered this question:
Conversation:
男の人：森さんに、お伝えいただきたいんですが。
女の人：はい。
It's asking something like 誰が伝えますか and have 3 choices：
Question：（男の人 女の人 森さん）が伝えます。
Answer： ...
1
vote
1answer
138 views
Can I say kekkon itashite orismasu?
Can I say ”お兄さんは結婚いたしております” instead of ”お兄さんは結婚しております”?
Thank you!
2
votes
1answer
63 views
What does adding 思う to 申し訳ない do?
This dictionary states that a clause like 「申し訳なく思っていますが〜」 means "Though I was sorry—" What I don't understand is the usage of 思う here. 申し訳ない itself means "sorry," does it not? What does adding 思う do? ...
5
votes
1answer
279 views
Use of: Noun + になります
As far as I know ~になります means "something becomes ~" but when combined with a Noun it seems strange to me.
A common example:
ご利用になりますか
Which is suppsoed to mean "Would you like to use it / make use ...
4
votes
1answer
81 views
What is the way 召されなば is conjugated?
In a bit old Japanese, the phrase:
草鞋{わらじ}を召{め}されなば
means "if you (talking to a superior) put on the straw sandals" (I assume from the context).
Where does the conjugation ～なば of 召される come from?
2
votes
1answer
959 views
How to say that a proposed date/time is OK without sounding condescending?
In a very formal context, how to answer properly when an unknown person who is hugely higher than you in the hierarchy (a recruiter, an N+3, an official, etc.) invites you to some unexpected event/...
0
votes
1answer
146 views
What are the rules for using 最高敬語?
Apparently when speaking to someone like 明仁, I'd need to speak a special brand of urban-polite keigo called 最高敬語.
Given this, what exactly are the rules for this brand of keigo? As I can only find it ...
3
votes
2answers
727 views
Is it customary to say いらっしゃいませ in a corporate setting?
Related: Is it appropriate to use irasshaimase when welcoming someone to a private office?
In the related question, the target is "someone", which brings me to the conclusion that OP there means "if ...
3
votes
1answer
152 views
Meaning of 相当おしゃれしてる
After a discussion on the fact that おり姫 and ひこ星 can only meet once a year:
「おり姫なんて、朝から相当おしゃれしてるだろうね」
From morning, princess Ori ?????
「もう大変だろうな、そりゃ」
It's probably really tough.
I can't ...
8
votes
2answers
245 views
Quiz question on keigo
While stumbling across Lucky Star episode 15 (26-second clip, from 8:51 - 9:17), I found that there was a scene where the characters were watching a quiz show, where one of the questions asked was on ...
4
votes
1answer
128 views
In a work e-mail, what is the correct way to refer to one's wife who is a coworker?
Japanese
背景
今年度、私の妻は就職できました。今年の4月から、2人とも同じ職場で大学の教員として勤めています。というわけで今回の質問です。就職時に色々な事務手続きをしなければなりません。その中で、私は事務担当者にメールを作成中です。メールの相手先は事務担当者ですが、妻にもCCしています。
質問
職場で、自分の配偶者をメールでどのように呼ぶのが丁寧でしょうか。
身内に対して「...
2
votes
3answers
224 views
How do I know which sentence is more polite?
To say the phrase, "Teacher has arrived."
A 先生が来られました
and
B 先生がお越しになりました
It should have an order or a rule to compare A and B.
3
votes
1answer
4k views
What is the difference between 「しております」and 「しています」?
I have came across the 2 phrases from Nintendo 3DS instruction manual. They are written adjacently.
本製品は、フォントワークス株式会社のフォントを使用しています。
本製品の一部にシャープ株式会社のLCフォントを使用しております。
If they are different in term of ...
0
votes
2answers
98 views
Correct a sentence which used 欲しがる
This is only a simple correcting problem I encountered in a book.
社長さんは工場＿をご覧になりたがっています。＿
The part between "_" is the part that need to be corrected.
I've looked up some pages and saw multiple ...
5
votes
2answers
939 views
Is ~楽しんでいただけましたら、幸いです past tense or not?
I'm trying to say "I'm happy if you enjoyed..." or "I hope you enjoyed", but this is keigo, so I got a bit confused. If I were to say xxx 楽しんでいただけましたら、幸いです does that mean "I hope you enjoyed xxx" or ...
3
votes
2answers
176 views
Using polite form for neutral subjects
I am trying to write a short message to a japanese acquaintance and am planning to use this sentence:
今日はとても暑くて、雪がそろそろ溶けている。
I know that, in this context, I should use the polite form 「溶けています」. ...
5
votes
1answer
89 views
Keigo: if the question doesn't concern neither the speaker nor the listener which form should i write
I started learning Japanese Keigo and there is something that is really confusing me. Assume I am talking to my supervisor so I will talk about myself using 謙譲語 and address him with 尊敬語.
Then what ...
3
votes
1answer
356 views
Is 坊っちゃん a normal word for someone else's son?
The English edition of Wiktionary gives as Japanese translations of "son"
Japanese: 息子 (ja) (むすこ, musuko), 坊っちゃん (ぼっちゃん, botchan) (honorific), せがれ (segare) (humble)
The entry on 息子 mentions ...
0
votes
1answer
149 views
Using けいご to talk about a third party
I am learning the honorific and humble forms, and am confused by the precises situations in which you use them. I understand that when speaking directly to an individual of higher status, one would ...
