謙譲語と尊敬語
謙譲語 = used for your own action
尊敬語 = used for the other person’s action
go / come
Example:
私は明日そちらへ参ります。
I will go there tomorrow.
say / be called
Example:
私は田中と申します。
My name is Tanaka.
say
Example:
一言（hitokoto）申し上げます。
I would like to say a word.
see / look at
Example:
その資料を拝見しました。
I looked at that document.
eat / drink / receive
Example:
お茶をいただきます。
I will have some tea.
do
Example:
私がいたします。
I will do it.
ask / visit / hear
Example:
明日、お宅に伺います。
I will visit your home tomorrow.
humble pattern for your action
Examples:
お持ちする — 謙譲表現 for 持つ
ご説明する — 謙譲表現 for 説明する
お手伝いする — 謙譲表現 for 手伝う
go / come / be
Example:
先生はもういらっしゃいました。
The teacher has already come.
say
Example:
先生はそうおっしゃいました。
The teacher said so.
see / look at
Example:
この資料をご覧ください。
Please look at this material.
eat / drink
Example:
先生は昼ご飯を召し上がりました。
The teacher ate lunch.
do
Example:
先生は何をなさいますか。
What will the teacher do?
give
Example:
先生が本をくださいました。
The teacher gave me a book.
honorific pattern for the other person’s action
Examples:
お帰りになる — 尊敬表現 for 帰る
お読みになる — 尊敬表現 for 読む
ご利用になる — 尊敬表現 for 利用する
Kashikomarimashita
Meaning: Certainly / Understood / Absolutely
Used in very polite service or business situations.
Example:
はい、かしこまりました。
Hai, kashikomarimashita.
Yes, certainly.
Shōchi shimashita
Meaning: Understood / I understand
Polite and common in work situations.
Example:
はい、承知しました。
Hai, shōchi shimashita.
Yes, understood.
かしこまりました = more formal, more service-oriented
承知しました = polite, often used in work/business
Shitsurei shimasu
Meaning: Excuse me / Goodbye / Please excuse me
Used when:
entering a room
leaving a room
ending a conversation politely
Example:
では、失礼します。
Dewa, shitsurei shimasu.
Well then, excuse me.
Shitsurei itashimasu
Meaning: Excuse me (more humble/polite)
A more formal version of 失礼します.
Example:
お先に失礼いたします。
Osaki ni shitsurei itashimasu.
Excuse me for leaving before you.
Mōshiwake arimasen
Meaning: I’m very sorry / There is no excuse
A stronger and more formal apology than すみません.
Example:
ご迷惑をおかけして、申し訳ありません。
Gomeiwaku o okakeshite, mōshiwake arimasen.
I am very sorry for causing you trouble.
Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu
Meaning: Thank you in advance / I humbly ask for your favor
Very common in formal situations, emails, introductions, and requests.
Example:
どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。
Dōzo yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.
Thank you in advance / I look forward to your kind support.
Osewa ni natte orimasu
Meaning: Thank you for your continued support
Literal feeling: I am in your care
Very common in business emails and formal communication.
Example:
いつもお世話になっております。
Itsumo osewa ni natte orimasu.
Thank you as always for your continued support.
Shōshō omachi kudasai
Meaning: Please wait a moment
Very common in shops, offices, and phone calls.
Example:
少々お待ちください。
Shōshō omachi kudasai.
Please wait a moment.
Omatase itashimashita
Meaning: Sorry to have kept you waiting
Used after someone has waited.
Example:
お待たせいたしました。
Omatase itashimashita.
Sorry to have kept you waiting.
Arigatō gozaimasu
Meaning: Thank you
Polite standard thank-you.
Example:
ありがとうございます。
Arigatō gozaimasu.
Thank you.
Arigatō gozaimashita
Meaning: Thank you very much / Thank you for what you did
Often used after something has been done.
Example:
昨日はありがとうございました。
Kinō wa arigatō gozaimashita.
Thank you very much for yesterday.
Osoreirimasu
Meaning: Excuse me / Thank you / I’m sorry to trouble you
This phrase is tricky because it can express:
apology
gratitude
polite interruption
Example:
恐れ入りますが、もう一度お願いします。
Osoreirimasu ga, mō ichido onegai shimasu.
Excuse me, but could you please say that one more time?
Onegai shimasu
Meaning: Please / I request it
Very common and flexible.
Example:
これをお願いします。
Kore o onegai shimasu.
This one, please.
Onegai itashimasu
Meaning: Please / I humbly request it
A more formal version of お願いします.
Example:
ご確認をお願いいたします。
Gokakunin o onegai itashimasu.
Please confirm it.
Dōzo
Meaning: Please / Here you are / Go ahead
Used when offering something or inviting someone to do something.
Example:
どうぞ、お入りください。
Dōzo, ohairi kudasai.
Please, come in.
Kochira koso
Meaning: Likewise / No, it is I who should say that
Often used in response to thanks or よろしくお願いします.
Example:
こちらこそ、よろしくお願いいたします。
Kochira koso, yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.
Likewise, I look forward to working with you.
Otsukaresama desu
Meaning: Thank you for your hard work
Very common in workplaces and group settings.
Example:
お疲れさまです。
Otsukaresama desu.
Thank you for your hard work.
Gokurōsama desu
Meaning: Thank you for your hard work
Important note:
This is usually said by someone of higher status to someone below them, so learners should be careful with it.
Tadaima mairimasu
Meaning: I will come right away
Common in service situations.
Example:
ただ今参ります。
Tadaima mairimasu.
I will be right there.
Tadaima seki o hazushite orimasu
Meaning: He/She is away from their seat right now
Common in office or phone contexts.
Example:
田中はただ今席を外しております。
Tanaka wa tadaima seki o hazushite orimasu.
Tanaka is away from their desk right now.