Respectful Verbs: The "O-ni naru" Pattern
upgrade kit to make any normal verb respectful when speaking about superiors or customers.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use the 'O + verb stem + ni naru' pattern to show high respect to someone superior when describing their actions.
- Attach 'O' to the stem of a godan or ichidan verb.
- Follow with 'ni naru' (e.g., {読む|よむ} → {お読みになる|およみになる}).
- Do not use this for your own actions; it is strictly for others.
Overview
Japanese keigo (敬語 - honorific language) is a linguistic system for navigating social context, and sonkeigo (尊敬語 - respectful language) is its primary tool for showing deference by elevating others. Within sonkeigo, the o-ni naru (お～になる) pattern stands out as a fundamental and highly versatile formula. It provides a general-purpose method for transforming most standard verbs into a respectful equivalent, making it an indispensable tool for anyone aiming for fluency in professional and formal Japanese.
This pattern's function is to elevate the subject of the sentence—the person performing the action. You use it when speaking about someone of higher social standing: a superior, client, teacher, or elder. While many common verbs have special, dedicated sonkeigo forms (e.g., 食べる becomes 召し上がる), countless others do not.
The o-ni naru construction elegantly fills this gap, offering a reliable way to show respect for nearly any action. Mastering it marks a critical shift from simply polite (-masu form) Japanese to a more nuanced, culturally aware communication style.
It is crucial to distinguish this from humble language, kenjougo (謙譲語). Kenjougo works by lowering the speaker or their in-group to show respect. O-ni naru does the opposite: it raises the status of the person you are speaking about.
This distinction is the absolute key to using keigo correctly. This pattern is your default method for creating respectful verbs, signaling a deliberate and clear acknowledgment of social hierarchy.
How This Grammar Works
o-ni naru construction is a sophisticated linguistic device that reframes a simple action as an honored event. It operates by nominalizing the verb (turning it into a noun concept) and then stating that the respected person "becomes" that honorable action. This structure grammatically centers and elevates the performer.- 1The Respectful Prefix: The verb's
masu-stem(also known as theren'yōkeior 連用形) is prefixed withお(o-) orご(go-). This prefix immediately marks the following action as belonging to, or being performed by, a respected individual.
- 1Nominalization: The combination of the prefix and the verb stem, such as
お読み(from読む- to read), functions as a respectful noun. It no longer means "read" but rather "the honorable act of reading."
- 1The Goal and Transformation: This new noun is followed by the particle
に, indicating direction or a goal, and the verbなる, meaning "to become." The phraseお読みに なるliterally translates to "(The person) becomes the honorable act of reading."
The teacher reads), you are describing the teacher as embodying the honored action of reading. The part of the phrase that conjugates is naru, which behaves like any other standard Godan (Group 1) verb.o-yomi ni naru (to honorably read) |お読みに なる |お読みに なります |お読みに なった |お読みに なりました |お読みに なって |お読みに なれる |お読みに ならせる |-(r)areru). While 先生が 読まれた (yomareta) is grammatically correct sonkeigo, its primary function is passive voice, and its use for respect can feel less direct. 先生が お読みに なった (o-yomi ni natta), by contrast, is unambiguous in its respectful intent.to write) | Grammatical Structure |書く (kaku) | Plain Form |書きます (kakimasu) | masu-form (Teineigo) |書かれる (kakareru) | Passive Form (-areru) |O-ni naru Form | お書きに なる (o-kaki ni naru) | Prefix + Stem + ni naru |Formation Pattern
o-ni naru pattern is consistent and depends primarily on the origin of the verb—whether it is a native Japanese word or a Sino-Japanese compound.
wago)
お- prefix.
お + masu-stem + になる
待つ (to wait)
masu-stem: 待ち (machi)
お待ちになる (o-machi ni naru)
お客様が ロビーで お待ちに なっています。 (The customer is waiting in the lobby.)
戻る (to return)
masu-stem: 戻り (modori)
お戻りになる (o-modori ni naru)
部長は 三時に 会社へ お戻りに なります。 (The department director will return to the office at 3 o'clock.)
kango)
する (to do). They generally take the ご- prefix.
ご + Noun + になる
suru Verb: 確認する (to confirm)
確認 (kakunin)
ご確認になる (go-kakunin ni naru)
資料の 内容は ご確認に なりましたか。 (Have you confirmed the contents of the document?)
suru Verb: 出席する (to attend)
出席 (shusseki)
ご出席になる (go-shusseki ni naru)
学長が 卒業式に ご出席に なります。 (The university president will attend the graduation ceremony.)
o- vs. go- Exceptions: The wago (o-) vs. kango (go-) distinction is a strong guideline, but not absolute. Some very common kango verbs are so deeply integrated into the language that they are treated as native words and take o-.
電話する → お電話になる (to call)
約束する → お約束になる (to promise/make an appointment)
食事する → お食事になる (to have a meal)
masu-stem: Verbs like 見る (stem: mi), 寝る (stem: ne), and 着る (stem: ki) sound abrupt and incomplete when used in this pattern (e.g., お見になる, お寝になる). A dedicated sonkeigo verb is always preferred.
見る → ご覧になる (to see)
寝る → お休みになる (to rest/sleep)
着る → お召しになる (to wear)
sonkeigo verb exists, it is almost always the more elegant and appropriate choice. Using the o-ni naru form in these cases can make you sound like you are still learning.
食べる (to eat): お食べになる is possible, but 召し上がる is far more natural and refined.
いる (to be): {おいになる} is incorrect. Use いらっしゃる.
言う (to say): お言いになる is very rare. Use おっしゃる.
When To Use It
o-ni naru pattern is a conscious act of showing respect. It is most appropriate in contexts where social hierarchy is clear, acknowledged, and important.- Business and Customer Service: This is the primary domain for
o-ni naru. It is standard when speaking to or about clients, customers, and senior management. - About a superior:
鈴木部長は 午後三時に お戻りに なります。(Director Suzuki will return at 3 PM.) - To a customer:
恐れ 入りますが、こちらで もう 少々 お待ちに なって いただけますか。(I do apologize, but could you please wait here a moment longer?)
- Formal and Academic Interactions: When addressing professors, doctors, guest speakers, or other figures of authority, this pattern shows you understand the social protocol.
- To a professor:
先生は どの 論文を お読みに なりましたか。(Professor, which paper did you read?)
- Forming Respectful Requests: The common command forms
お～くださいandご～くださいare direct descendants of this grammar. They are contractions of thete-form+kudasai. お書きに なって ください→お書きください(Please write.)ご注意に なって ください→ご注意ください(Please be careful.)
sonkeigo pattern.- When No Special Verb Exists: This is its most practical function. For thousands of verbs like
作る(to make),運ぶ(to carry), or選ぶ(to choose), there is no dedicatedsonkeigoequivalent.O-ni naruis the default, correct solution. 社長が 新しい ロゴの デザインを お選びに なりました。(The president chose the new logo design.)
Common Mistakes
o-ni naru. Avoiding them is essential for sounding respectful rather than arrogant or confused.o-ni naru for Your Own Actions- Incorrect:
明日、私が ご説明に なります。(Tomorrow, I will honorably explain.) - Correct (Polite):
明日、私が 説明します。(Tomorrow, I will explain.) - Correct (Humble):
明日、私が ご説明いたします。(Tomorrow, I will humbly explain.) For your own actions when showing respect to the listener, use the humbleo-/go- itasuform.
uchi-soto) Confusionsoto-no-hito), such as a customer or a representative from another company, you must not elevate members of your own in-group (uchi-no-hito), including your own boss. Doing so elevates your entire group above the person you are speaking to, a major social error.- Context: Speaking to a client about your manager, Sato.
- Incorrect:
部長の 佐藤は ただいま 別の 会議に ご出席に なっています。 - Correct:
部長の 佐藤は ただいま 別の 会議に 出席しております。(My manager, Sato, is currently attending another meeting.) Here, you use the humble form~te orimasuto lower your own group member's status relative to the outsider.
o-ni naru (Respectful) with o-suru (Humble)O-ni naru elevates the subject; o-suru humbles the subject, who is typically performing an action for the listener's benefit.o-ni naru | Respectful | Elevates the subject. Action is by/for themself. | 先生が お持ちに なる (The teacher holds it.) |o-suru | Humble | Lowers the subject doing something for another.| 私が お持ちします (I will carry it for you.) |o-ni naru to a verb that has a well-known special sonkeigo equivalent sounds clunky. It signals to a native speaker that you have not yet mastered the more natural and refined expressions.- Awkward:
お客様は もう お昼を お食べに なりましたか。 - Natural and Refined:
お客様は もう 昼食を 召し上がりましたか。(Have you had lunch yet, valued customer?)
Real Conversations
Textbook sentences are clean, but real-world keigo is often mixed with other forms and adapted to the medium. Here’s how you might see o-ni naru used today.
Scenario 1
Subject
【B大学 鈴木】卒業論文のご相談田中教授
いつもお世話になっております。
B大学文学部の鈴木花子です。
先生が先日の学会で{お話しになった}「近代文学における文体の変遷」について、大変興味深く拝聴いたしました。
つきましては、私の卒業論文のテーマとして、先生にご指導を賜りたく、一度ご相談のお時間を頂戴できないかと考えております。
来週、先生が{大学にお越しになる}ご予定はございますでしょうか。
- お話しになった: A perfect use of the pattern for 話す (to speak), referring to the professor's presentation.
- 大学にお越しになる: Here, the writer uses お越しになる, a common sonkeigo set phrase for 来る (to come), which functions identically to the o-ni naru pattern.
Scenario 2
From: [Junior Staff] Sato
To: [Manager] Tanaka
田中部長、お疲れ様です。
先ほどC社様からお電話があり、明日の会議の開始時間を1時間早めたいとのことです。
C社様は、新しい開始時間で{問題ないかご確認になりたい}そうです。
いかがいたしましょうか。
- ご確認になりたい: This combines the go-ni naru structure with {～たい} (want to do), creating a respectful way to say "(they) want to confirm." The full, more formal version would be {ご確認になりたいとおっしゃっていました} but is shortened in chat.
Scenario 3
店員：お待たせいたしました。ご注文の品でございます。
客：ありがとう。これ、ギフト用に包装してもらえますか。
店員：はい、承知いたしました。こちらの 包装紙から お選びに {なれます}が、いかがなさいますか。
客：じゃあ、青いのでお願いします。
- お選びになれます: The potential form of o-erabi ni naru (from 選ぶ - to choose), meaning "you are able to choose." This is a very common and polite customer service phrase.
- {いかがなさいますか}: The clerk fluidly switches to なさる (a sonkeigo verb for する), asking "What would you like to do?" Mixing different sonkeigo patterns is very natural.
Quick FAQ
o-ni naru more polite than the passive respectful -(r)areru form?O-ni naru is considered more formal and is a more deliberate, active display of respect. The passive form -(r)areru (e.g., 書かれる) is multifunctional; it can express the passive voice, potential, spontaneity, or respect.-(r)areru is often used to create simple psychological distance rather than deep deference. For clear, formal, and unambiguous respect, o-ni naru is almost always the superior choice.uchi-soto (in-group/out-group) dynamic. When speaking to an elder family member you respect, like a grandparent, you can and should use it. For example: お爺ちゃん、もう お薬は お飲みに なりましたか。 ("Grandfather, have you taken your medicine yet?").o-ni naru. In that context, your grandfather is part of your uchi (in-group), and you should use plain or humble forms to avoid elevating your own group.お見になる wrong but ご覧になる is right? They both seem to follow the same pattern.ご覧になる is a special, fixed sonkeigo verb. ご覧 is an established noun meaning "a look" or "view," and the phrase is a set expression.o-ni naru formula to the verb 見る. If you were to apply the formula to 見る, you would get お見になる, which is avoided for two main reasons: the masu-stem mi is a single syllable, making it sound rhythmically awkward, and the existence of the elegant, established alternative ご覧になる makes the constructed version obsolete and unnatural.teineigo (-masu/-desu) instead of sonkeigo?teineigo is sufficient. However, in professional settings, customer service roles, or any interaction with a clear power or age distance, failing to use sonkeigo can make you appear inexperienced, unrefined, or even unintentionally disrespectful.keigo patterns like o-ni naru as a core part of your professional toolkit.O-ni naru Conjugation Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
O + Stem + ni naru
|
お読みになる
|
|
Negative
|
O + Stem + ni naranai
|
お読みにならない
|
|
Past
|
O + Stem + ni natta
|
お読みになった
|
|
Question
|
O + Stem + ni narimasu ka
|
お読みになりますか
|
|
Te-form
|
O + Stem + ni natte
|
お読みになって
|
|
Volitional
|
O + Stem + ni narou
|
お読みになろう
|
Meanings
This is a form of 'Sonkeigo' (respectful language) used to elevate the status of the person performing the action.
Respectful Action
Describing the actions of a superior with honorific distance.
“{社長|しゃちょう}が{お話し|おはなし}になります。”
“{お客様|おきゃくさま}が{お使い|おつかい}になります。”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
O + Stem + ni naru
|
お読みになる
|
|
Negative
|
O + Stem + ni naranai
|
お読みにならない
|
|
Past
|
O + Stem + ni natta
|
お読みになった
|
|
Question
|
O + Stem + ni narimasu ka
|
お読みになりますか
|
|
Polite
|
O + Stem + ni narimasu
|
お読みになります
|
|
Past Polite
|
O + Stem + ni narimashita
|
お読みになりました
|
Formality Spectrum
先生がお読みになります。 (Classroom)
先生が読んでいます。 (Classroom)
先生が読んでる。 (Classroom)
先生読んでるよ。 (Classroom)
Honorific Hierarchy
Target
- Superior Boss/Client
Action
- O-ni naru Respectful Pattern
Examples by Level
{先生|せんせい}が{お帰り|おかえり}になります。
The teacher is returning.
{社長|しゃちょう}が{お話し|おはなし}になります。
The president is speaking.
{お客様|おきゃくさま}が{お使い|おつかい}になります。
The customer is using it.
{部長|ぶちょう}が{お読み|およみ}になります。
The manager is reading.
{先生|せんせい}は{お書き|おかき}になりますか？
Is the teacher writing?
{部長|ぶちょう}は{お帰り|おかえり}になりません。
The manager is not returning.
{お客様|おきゃくさま}が{お持ち|おもち}になります。
The customer is holding it.
{田中様|たなかさま}が{お座り|おすわり}になります。
Mr. Tanaka is sitting down.
{会議|かいぎ}で{社長|しゃちょう}が{お話し|おはなし}になります。
The president will speak at the meeting.
{資料|しりょう}を{お読み|およみ}になりますか？
Would you like to read the document?
{先生|せんせい}が{お考え|おかんがえ}になります。
The teacher is thinking.
{お客様|おきゃくさま}が{お選び|おえらび}になります。
The customer is choosing.
{部長|ぶちょう}が{お決め|おきめ}になった{方針|ほうしん}です。
It is the policy the manager decided.
{先生|せんせい}が{お作り|おつくり}になった{料理|りょうり}です。
It is the dish the teacher made.
{お客様|おきゃくさま}が{お求め|おもとめ}になります。
The customer is purchasing.
{田中様|たなかさま}が{お調べ|おしらべ}になります。
Mr. Tanaka is investigating.
{社長|しゃちょう}が{お認め|おみとめ}になる{案件|あんけん}です。
It is the project the president approves.
{先生|せんせい}が{お教え|おしえ}になる{内容|ないよう}です。
It is the content the teacher teaches.
{お客様|おきゃくさま}が{お気付き|おきづき}になります。
The customer notices.
{部長|ぶちょう}が{お過ごし|おすごし}になります。
The manager is spending time.
{先生|せんせい}が{お示し|おしめし}になった{見解|けんかい}。
The view the teacher indicated.
{社長|しゃちょう}が{お受け|おうけ}になる{賞|しょう}。
The award the president is receiving.
{お客様|おきゃくさま}が{お望み|おのぞみ}になる{品|しな}。
The item the customer desires.
{部長|ぶちょう}が{お運び|おはこび}になる{荷物|にもつ}。
The luggage the manager is carrying.
Easily Confused
Both use 'O' + stem.
Both show respect.
When to use O-ni naru vs special verbs.
Common Mistakes
私はお読みになります。
私は読みます。
先生がお読みになるます。
先生がお読みになります。
お食べるになる。
お召し上がりになる。
お行くになる。
いらっしゃる。
お見るになる。
ご覧になる。
お読みになるた。
お読みになった。
お読みになるか？
お読みになりますか？
お読みになるください。
お読みになってください。
お読みになるです。
お読みになります。
お読みになるました。
お読みになりました。
お読みになるなさる。
お読みになる。
お読みになるでしょう。
お読みになることでしょう。
お読みになるべきです。
お読みになるべきです。
お読みになるつもりです。
お読みになるおつもりです。
Sentence Patterns
___が___になります。
___を___になりますか？
___が___になりません。
___が___になりました。
Real World Usage
部長がお話しになります。
資料をお読みになりますか？
先生がお考えになります。
お客様がお選びになります。
社長がお決めになります。
先生がお召し上がりになります。
Check the verb
Self-usage
Context matters
Social distance
Smart Tips
Use O-ni naru to show respect.
Never use O-ni naru.
Conjugate the 'naru' part.
Use special honorifics.
Pronunciation
Intonation
Maintain a steady, polite pitch.
Rising
お読みになりますか↑
Polite question.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
O-ni naru: 'O' for 'Oh, you are so great!' and 'ni naru' for 'becoming' the action.
Visual Association
Imagine a red carpet being rolled out (the 'O') for a VIP walking forward (the 'ni naru' action).
Rhyme
O at the start, ni naru at the end, for the superior, my honorable friend.
Story
You are at a fancy dinner. Your boss enters. You don't just say 'he enters'. You say 'He O-ni naru enters'. You are building a pedestal for his actions.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about your teacher's actions using this pattern.
Cultural Notes
Essential for maintaining professional distance.
Used when addressing professors.
Used by staff to customers.
Derived from the classical Japanese 'O' prefix and the verb 'naru' (to become).
Conversation Starters
先生は明日何をお読みになりますか？
部長はいつお帰りになりますか？
お客様は何をお選びになりますか？
田中様はいつお話しになりますか？
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
先生が___になります。
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
私はお読みになります。
部長 / 話す / 丁寧
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
先生が帰らない (honorific)
お客様が___になります。
Find and fix the mistake:
先生がお書きになるます。
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises先生が___になります。
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
私はお読みになります。
部長 / 話す / 丁寧
読む -> ?
先生が帰らない (honorific)
お客様が___になります。
Find and fix the mistake:
先生がお書きになるます。
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises{社長|しゃちょう}、いつ___か。(President, when will you return?)
{先生|せんせい}は{お|o}{疲|つか}れ___なりました。
{部長|ぶちょう}、ランチを{お|o}{食|た}べになりましたか。
Match correctly:
{先生|せんせい} / {お|o} / {話|はな}し / {なりました} / に
{少|すこ}し{お|o}{考|かんが}えになりますか。
{お客様|きゃくさま}、ご___をお持ちですか。(Customer, do you have a reservation?)
Client: 'Can I sit here?' You: 'Yes, please...'
{先生|せんせい}は{お|o}{帰|かえ}りになられました。
{部長|ぶちょう}はもう___。(The manager already went home.)
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
No, never. It is for others.
Use special honorific verbs instead.
Yes, very.
Conjugate 'naru' to 'naranai'.
Yes, frequently.
O-ni naru is for others; O-suru is for you.
No, it sounds very strange.
No, it creates too much distance.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Usted
Japanese changes the verb itself.
Vouvoiement
Japanese changes the verb itself.
Sie-form
Japanese changes the verb itself.
Sonkeigo
None.
Honorific titles
Japanese changes the verb itself.
Nin (您)
Japanese changes the verb itself.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
Humble Actions: Doing things for others (O-suru / Go-suru)
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Advanced Humble Language: Humbly Doing For You (お〜申し上げる)
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Polite Permission: Taking the Liberty (~sasete itadaku)
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Special Keigo Verbs: Respectful & Humble Japanese (召し上がる, いらっしゃる, 申す)
Overview In the intricate system of Japanese honorifics (*Keigo*), certain verbs operate on a different level. Beyond t...
Humble Receiving: お~いただく / ご~いただく (o/go-itadaku)
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