Keigo and Politeness Levels in Japanese

• Keigo
• Politeness Levels

Keigo in Japanese:

Keigo, also known as honorific language, is a distinctive feature of Japanese communication. It is used to show respect and politeness towards individuals of higher social status, such as elders, superiors, or esteemed guests. Keigo is often employed in formal situations, business settings, or when interacting with people of authority. Here are some key aspects of Keigo:

1. Sonkeigo (Respectful Language):

   Sonkeigo is a form of Keigo that is used to elevate the status of the listener or the person being spoken about. It is employed to show utmost respect and honor. Sonkeigo is characterized by the use of honorific prefixes, honorific verbs, and respectful expressions.

   • Honorific prefixes: Adding prefixes such as "お" (o) or "ご" (go) to nouns and verbs, such as "お名前" (o-namae) for "name" or "ご覧になる" (go-ranninaru) for "to see."
   • Honorific verbs: Utilizing special verbs that are considered more respectful, such as "いらっしゃる" (irassharu) for "to come" or "なさる" (nasaru) for "to do."
   • Respectful expressions: Using polite and humble language to demonstrate deference and show respect towards the listener or the person being referred to.
2. Kenjogo (Humble Language):

   Kenjogo is a form of Keigo that is used to express humility and modesty when referring to oneself or one's actions. It is often employed to downplay one's achievements or to show respect towards others. Kenjogo is characterized by the use of humble verbs, humble language, and expressions of self-deprecation.

   • Humble verbs: Using humble verbs, such as "いたす" (itasu) for "to do" or "申し上げる" (mōshiageru) for "to say."
   • Humble language: Employing humble language to convey modesty and show respect towards others, such as using "謙譲語" (kenjōgo) instead of "自分" (jibun) for "oneself" or "拝見する" (haiken suru) instead of "見る" (miru) for "to see."
   • Expressions of self-deprecation: Using expressions that downplay one's own actions or abilities to show modesty and respect towards others.

Politeness Levels in Japanese:

Politeness is a crucial aspect of Japanese culture and language. The use of appropriate politeness levels, known as "keigo," is essential when interacting with others in various social settings. Understanding and employing the correct level of politeness is a sign of respect and shows your familiarity with Japanese customs. Here's an overview of the three main politeness levels in Japanese:

1. 丁寧語 (Teineigo) - Polite Form:

   The polite form is the most commonly used politeness level in everyday situations. It is used when speaking to people of higher social status, strangers, or in formal settings. Some characteristics of the polite form include:

   • Use of honorific prefixes and suffixes: Adding honorific expressions like "さん" (san) after someone's name or "様" (sama) to show respect.
   • Polite verb endings: Using the polite verb endings "-ます" (-masu) and "-です" (-desu) to indicate politeness.
   • Polite vocabulary choices: Selecting polite and humble vocabulary to show respect and maintain courteous communication.
2. 丁寧語 (Kenjōgo) - Honorific Form:

   The honorific form is used to show respect and deference to individuals of higher social status, such as superiors, teachers, or older people. It is also employed when addressing customers, clients, or esteemed guests. Key features of the honorific form include:

   • Use of honorific verbs and expressions: Utilizing special honorific verbs, such as "いらっしゃる" (irassharu) instead of "来る" (kuru) for "to come," or "お食べになる" (o-tabeni naru) instead of "食べる" (taberu) for "to eat."
   • Polite and formal vocabulary choices: Employing respectful vocabulary and honorific phrases to acknowledge the higher status of the person being addressed.
   • Humble language: Using humble language to downgrade oneself and show respect to the listener.
3. 平易語 (Heigi-go) - Plain Form:

   The plain form is the least polite and most casual politeness level in Japanese. It is used among close friends, family members, or in informal settings. Key characteristics of the plain form include:

   • Omission of honorific expressions: Unlike the polite and honorific forms, the plain form does not include honorific prefixes, suffixes, or special verb forms.
   • Casual verb endings: Using the plain verb endings "-る" (-ru) and "-た" (-ta) instead of the polite "-ます" (-masu) and "-ました" (-mashita) endings.
   • Informal vocabulary choices: Selecting less formal vocabulary and expressions that are appropriate for casual conversations.

Understanding and appropriately using Keigo and politeness levels is crucial for effective communication in Japanese.