POLITE FORM - TEINEIGO/丁寧語
Click the following link on the right to get an explanation of Keigo - Keigo Diagram
Of the three Keigo forms, I would argue the Teineigo (polite form) is the easiest and the most commonly used Keigo form (including native Japanese speakers). This is because the Teineigo is usually the first form of Keigo that is taught to students learning the Japanese language. Furthermore, teineigo tends to better adhere to grammatical/conjugation rules, which also helps with learning the form compared to Kenjougo and Sonkeigo.
I like to divide Teineigo rules into three categories:
1. Words ending with the -masu suffix.
2. Words ending with the -desu suffix
3. Words starting with the O-/GO- prefix
Of the three Keigo forms, I would argue the Teineigo (polite form) is the easiest and the most commonly used Keigo form (including native Japanese speakers). This is because the Teineigo is usually the first form of Keigo that is taught to students learning the Japanese language. Furthermore, teineigo tends to better adhere to grammatical/conjugation rules, which also helps with learning the form compared to Kenjougo and Sonkeigo.
I like to divide Teineigo rules into three categories:
1. Words ending with the -masu suffix.
2. Words ending with the -desu suffix
3. Words starting with the O-/GO- prefix
1. The "-masu" suffix will generally be added to the end of a verb.
2. The "-desu" suffix will come after nouns, adjectives, and adverbs and will generally be at the end of a phrase or sentence.
3. "o/go" (written お and ご) is added as a prefix to the beginning of a noun. Note, it is either "O" or "GO" that is added (not both) and figuring which character to add can be tricky, so be prepared to spend some time trying to figure which character to add. Some general rules are below.
There is no concrete rule when O/GO is used and when not, so the best is to simply listen to native speakers and repeat them.
2. The "-desu" suffix will come after nouns, adjectives, and adverbs and will generally be at the end of a phrase or sentence.
3. "o/go" (written お and ご) is added as a prefix to the beginning of a noun. Note, it is either "O" or "GO" that is added (not both) and figuring which character to add can be tricky, so be prepared to spend some time trying to figure which character to add. Some general rules are below.
- The O prefix is "generally" added to words of traditional Japanese readings (訓読み), so you need to know which words are historically Japanese. (Examples - お参り, お支払い、お忙しい、お見積り)
- The
GO prefix is "generally" added to words that derive from Chinese
readings (音読み), so you need to figure which words are historically Chinese. (Examples - ご確認、ご報告、ご依頼、ご質問、ご説明、ご連絡)
- However, the rules above are not absolute so expect the rules to be broken often. In other words, do not expect to simply place O/GO in front of Japanese or Chinese nouns and expect it to be correct. (Examples - お返事、お電話、お正月、お掃除、ごもっとも、ごゆっくり)
There is no concrete rule when O/GO is used and when not, so the best is to simply listen to native speakers and repeat them.
MASU
English | Japanese - Casual | Japanese - Polite |
---|---|---|
do | する suru |
します shimasu |
go | 行く iku |
行きます ikimasu |
look | 見る miru |
見ます mimasu |
Say | 言う iu |
言います iimasu |
DESU
English | Japanese - Very Informal | Japanese - Polite |
---|---|---|
I am Suzuki. | (私は)鈴木だ。 (Watashi ha) Suzuki da |
私は鈴木です。 Watashi ha Suzuki desu |
Weather is very nice today. | 今日の天気は非常に素晴らしい Kyou no tenki ha hijyou ni subarashi. |
今日の天気は非常に素晴らしいです。 Kyou no tenki ha hijyou ni subarashii desu. |
O / GO
Unlike in English, the Japanese language will use entirely different words when referring to one's own family members and family members of others, as highlighted in the list below. Notice words referring to others shows will show respect by including the characters O (お) and SAN (さん) as a prefix and suffix respectively.
English | Your Family Member | Third Person Family Member |
---|---|---|
Father | 父 Chichi |
お父さん Otosan |
Mother | 母 Haha |
お母さん Okasan |
Older Sister | 姉 Ane |
お姉さん Oneesan |
Older Brother | 兄 Ani |
お兄さん Oniisan |
Below are other examples of words with the O/Go prefix added to the front of nouns for politeness.
English | Casual Japanese | Polite Japanese |
---|---|---|
Water | 水 Mizu |
お水 O-mizu |
Name | 名前 Namae |
お名前 O-namae |
Customer | 客 Kyaku |
お客様 O-kyakusama |
Plan | 計画 Keikaku |
ご計画 Go-keikaku |
An Order | 注文 Chumon |
ご注文 Go-chumon |
Guide | 案内 Annai |
ご案内 Go-annai |