B2 Keigo (Honorific Language) 10 min read Hard

Special Keigo Verbs: Respectful & Humble Japanese (召し上がる, いらっしゃる, 申す)

Use special keigo verbs to replace common actions when navigating Japanese social hierarchy and professional settings.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Special Keigo verbs replace common verbs to show extreme respect (Sonkeigo) or humility (Kenjougo) toward others.

  • Use Sonkeigo (e.g., {召し上がる|めしあがる}) to elevate the listener's actions.
  • Use Kenjougo (e.g., {申す|もうす}) to lower your own actions in front of others.
  • Never mix honorifics; use one type consistently per subject.
Subject (Superior) + は + {召し上がる|めしあがる} (Sonkeigo) / Subject (Self) + は + {申す|もうす} (Kenjougo)

Overview

In the intricate system of Japanese honorifics (Keigo), certain verbs operate on a different level. Beyond the standard polite (-masu) forms and the common honorific patterns (お〜になる), there exists a special class of verbs that completely replace their everyday counterparts to show a high degree of respect or humility. These are often called Special Keigo Verbs or irregular honorifics.

Think of them not as a modification of a base verb, but as an entirely different word chosen for its specific social function—a concept linguists call suppletion. English does this with go and went; Japanese does it for social hierarchy with verbs like 食(た)べる (to eat) and 召し上がる (to respectfully eat).

These verbs are the bedrock of professional and formal communication. While a learner can get by with standard polite forms, mastering this special vocabulary is what separates intermediate fluency from advanced, nuanced expression. They are divided into two fundamental categories that are not interchangeable: Sonkeigo (尊敬語), or respectful language, which elevates the subject of the verb (your boss, a customer, a teacher), and Kenjōgo (謙譲語), or humble language, which lowers the subject (you or a member of your in-group) to show deference to the listener.

Using these verbs correctly demonstrates a deep understanding of Japanese social dynamics. It shows you can accurately perceive social distance, hierarchy, and the crucial distinction between your in-group (ウチ) and an out-group (ソト). This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of these essential verbs, their unique conjugation patterns, and the contextual awareness required to use them effectively.

How This Grammar Works

The core principle of Special Keigo Verbs is speaker-referent honorifics: the choice of verb depends on who is performing the action. This system requires you to constantly track the social status of the person you are talking about relative to the person you are talking to.
1. Sonkeigo (尊敬語): Respectful Language
Sonkeigo is used when someone of higher status performs an action. This could be a superior at work, a client, a teacher, or anyone to whom you wish to show deference. The verb itself elevates the person performing the action.
For instance, if your manager, 部長 (buchō), is reading a document, you use the Sonkeigo verb 御覧になる (goran ni naru) instead of 見る (miru).
  • Example: {部長|ぶ|ちょう}が{資料|し|りょう}を{御覧|ご|らん}になっています。 (The department head is looking at the documents.)
2. Kenjōgo (謙譲語): Humble Language
Kenjōgo is used when you or a member of your in-group performs an action that affects or is directed toward a person of higher status. The verb humbles the actor, thereby elevating the other party. If you are looking at documents given by your manager, you use the Kenjōgo verb 拝見する (haiken suru).
  • Example: (私が){部長|ぶ|ちょう}から頂いた{資料|し|りょう}を{拝見|はい|けん}します。 (I will humbly look at the documents I received from the department head.)
Here is a table of the most common Special Keigo Verbs. Memorizing these pairs is non-negotiable for B2-level proficiency.
| Standard Verb | Sonkeigo (Respectful) | Kenjōgo (Humble) | Meaning |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 食(た)べる, 飲(の)む | 召(め)し上(あ)がる | 頂(いただ)く | to eat, drink |
| 行(い)く, 来(く)る, いる(いる) | いらっしゃる, おいでになる | 参(まい)る, 伺(うかが)う | to go, come, be |
| 言(い)う | おっしゃる | 申(もう)す, 申(もう)し上(あ)げる | to say |
| する(する) | なさる | 致(いた)す | to do |
| 見(み)る | {御覧|ご|らん}になる | {拝見|はい|けん}する | to see |
| 知(し)っている | {御存じ|ご|ぞんじ}だ | 存(ぞん)じている, 存(ぞん)じ上(あ)げている | to know |
| 会(あ)う | お会いになる (pattern) | お目にかかる | to meet |
| 聞(き)く, 訪(たず)ねる | - (use pattern) | 伺(うかが)う | to ask, inquire, visit |
| くれる(くれる) | くださる | - | to give (to me/my side) |
| もらう(もらう) | - (use お受け取りになる) | 頂(いただ)く, {頂戴|ちょう|だい}する | to receive |
The Critical In-Group (ウチ) vs. Out-Group (ソト) Distinction
A frequent point of confusion is how to speak about a superior (like your own company's president) to an external person (like a client). In this situation, your entire company, including its president, becomes your in-group (ウチ). The client is the out-group (ソト).
You must use humble (Kenjōgo) language for everyone in your in-group to show respect to the out-group.
  • To a colleague: {社長|しゃ|ちょう}は明日(あした)の{会議|かい|ぎ}にいらっしゃいます。 (The President will be at the meeting tomorrow.) - Sonkeigo is used internally.
  • To a client: {弊社会長|へい|しゃ|かい|ちょう}の{田中|た|なか}がそのように申(もう)しておりました。 (The chairman of our company, Tanaka, said so.) - Kenjōgo is used for your own chairman when speaking to an outsider.

Formation Pattern

1
Special Keigo verbs are fundamentally irregular. You cannot derive them from a standard verb using a simple formula; you must learn them as new vocabulary items. However, their conjugation, once you know the verb, follows patterns. The most notorious pattern involves a small group of high-frequency Sonkeigo verbs.
2
The Sonkeigo -aimasu Quirk
3
Four major Sonkeigo verbs, いらっしゃる, おっしゃる, なさる, and くださる, have a unique polite conjugation. While they are Godan verbs ending in る, they do not follow the typical 〜ります pattern. Instead, the る (ru) changes to い (i) before ます (masu).
4
| Dictionary Form | Verb Stem | Correct Polite Form | Common Learner Error |
5
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
6
| いらっしゃる | irassha- | いらっしゃいます | *いらっしゃります |
7
| おっしゃる | ossha- | おっしゃいます | *おっしゃります |
8
| なさる | nasa- | なさいます | *なさります |
9
| くださる | kudasa- | くださいます | *くださります |
10
This irregularity is specific to the polite -masu form. Other conjugations for these verbs are more regular and follow standard Godan patterns:
11
Te-form: いらっしゃって, おっしゃって, なさって, くださって
12
Nai-form: いらっしゃらない, おっしゃらない, なさらない, くださらない
13
Potential: いらっしゃれる, おっしゃれる, なさることができる, くださることがある
14
Kenjōgo and Other Verb Conjugations
15
Most Kenjōgo verbs conjugate as standard Godan or Ichidan verbs. 申す (mōsu) and 参る (mairu) are regular Godan verbs.
16
申す -> 申します (mōshimasu), 申して (mōshite), 申さない (mōsanai)
17
参る -> 参ります (mairimasu), 参って (maitte), 参らない (mairanai)
18
Verbs like 致す (itasu) and 拝見する (haiken suru) are also regular. 致す is a Godan verb (いたします, いたして). Verbs ending in -suru conjugate as irregular suru verbs (拝見します, 拝見して).
19
Some special verbs are compounds, like 御覧になる (goran ni naru) or お目にかかる (ome ni kakaru). These are phrases where the core verb (なる, かかる) conjugates while the noun part (御覧, お目) remains fixed. 御存じだ (gozonji da) functions like a na-adjective or noun + copula, conjugating as 御存じです (gozonji desu), 御存じで (gozonji de), etc.

When To Use It

Knowing when to deploy these verbs is as important as knowing how to form them. Their use is dictated by social context, hierarchy, and the ウチ・ソト relationship. Using them inappropriately can sound more jarring than not using them at all.
1. Business and Professional Settings
This is the primary domain for Special Keigo. They are the default for communication with superiors, clients, customers, and partners.
  • Speaking to a superior: 部長、もうお昼は召し上がりましたか？ (Director, have you eaten lunch yet?)
  • Addressing a client: 本日はどのようなご用件でいらっしゃいましたか？ (What matter have you come for today?)
  • Referring to your own actions for a client: ただいま資料をお持ちいたします。 (I will humbly bring the documents now.)
2. Customer Service
Anyone in a customer-facing role uses Sonkeigo extensively toward the customer. The customer is treated as the highest-status individual.
  • Shop clerk to customer: こちら、ご試着なさいますか？ (Would you like to try this on?)
  • As a customer, you'll hear and respond to this. When ordering food, you often use いただく: では、このAセットをいただきます。 (Then, I'll have the A set.)
3. Formal and Academic Environments
When interacting with professors (先生), guest speakers, or in formal academic presentations, these verbs are essential.
  • 田中先生がおっしゃったように、この理論には課題が残っています。 (As Professor Tanaka said, challenges remain for this theory.)
  • Making a formal request: 恐れ入ります、推薦状の作成をお願いできますでしょうか。明日、事務所に伺います。 (Excuse me, would it be possible to request a letter of recommendation? I will humbly visit your office tomorrow.)
4. Formal Self-Introductions
The phrase 〜と申します (to be called ~) is the standard and expected way to introduce yourself in any formal or professional context.
  • 本日より配属になりました鈴木と申します。 (I am Suzuki, assigned here starting today.)
To help contextualize their level of politeness, consider this respect ladder for the verb "to eat":
  • Casual: 食べる (Used with close friends, family)
  • Polite (Teineigo): 食べます (The neutral, polite default)
  • Standard Honorific: お食べになる (Respectful, but less formal than special verbs)
  • Special Honorific (Sonkeigo): 召し上がる (Highest level of respect for an action)
  • Special Humble (Kenjōgo): いただく (Humble verb for receiving/eating)
If a special verb exists for an action, it is almost always preferred over the standard お〜になる pattern in highly formal situations.

Common Mistakes

Learners at the B2 level often understand the concept of Keigo but make subtle, yet significant, errors in application. Avoiding these is key to sounding natural and professional.
1. Role Reversal: Mixing Sonkeigo and Kenjōgo
This is the most critical error. Using a Sonkeigo verb for your own action sounds arrogant; using a Kenjōgo verb for a superior's action is insulting.
| Situation | Correct Sentence | Incorrect Sentence & Consequence |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| You are going to the client's office. | 私が御社に参ります。 | *私が御社にいらっしゃいます。 (Sounds like you believe you are royalty gracing them with your presence.) |
| Your professor is coming. | 先生がいらっしゃいます。 | *先生が参ります。 (Lowers your professor, implying you see them as a subordinate.) |
2. Redundant Keigo (二重敬語, Nijū Keigo)
This involves applying an honorific pattern to a verb that is already a special honorific. It's grammatically incorrect and sounds clumsy, like saying "most best."
  • Incorrect: 社長がお召し上がりになられました。 (Combines 召し上がる, お〜になる, and the respectful passive 〜れる)
  • Correct: 社長が召し上がりました。 (召し上がる already contains maximum respect.)
3. Forgetting the ウチ・ソト Rule
This is the most common advanced error. Remember to use humble (Kenjōgo) forms for your in-group (including your boss) when speaking to an out-group (a client).
  • Scenario: A client asks what your boss thinks.
  • Incorrect: 部長も同じ意見だとおっしゃっていました。 (This aligns you with the client against your boss.)
  • Correct: 部長も同じ意見だと申しておりました。 (This presents your company as a unified, humble front.)
4. The いらっしゃります Conjugation Error
As highlighted in the formation section, the -aimasu conjugation for verbs like いらっしゃる is a persistent hurdle. While you might occasionally hear native speakers make this slip in hurried speech, it is considered a clear error in formal and written Japanese.
5. Inappropriate Use with Inanimate Objects
Humble and respectful verbs are for sentient beings capable of volition. Documents cannot 参る (humbly go) and reports cannot 拝見する (humbly see).
  • Incorrect: 資料が参りますので、少々お待ちください。
  • Correct: 資料が届きますので、少々お待ちください。 (The documents will arrive...)
  • Also Correct: （私が）資料をお持ちいたしますので、少々お待ちください。 (I will humbly bring the documents...)

Real Conversations

Contextual examples show how these verbs flow in natural dialogue.

Dialogue 1: At a High-End Restaurant

- Waiter: お客様、ご注文はお決まりでいらっしゃいますか？本日のコースには、お肉かお魚かお選びいただけますが、どちらになさいますか？

(Honored customer, have you decided on your order? For today's course, you can choose meat or fish; which will you do?)

- Customer: そうですか。では、お肉をいただきます。あと、アレルギーで甲殻類が食べられないのですが。

(I see. In that case, I will have the meat. Also, I cannot eat shellfish due to an allergy.)

- Waiter: かしこまりました。では、甲殻類を抜くように厨房に申し伝えます。お飲み物はいかがなさいますか？

(Certainly. I will humbly inform the kitchen to leave out shellfish. What would you like for a drink?)

Dialogue 2: Office Phone Call (Internal to External)

- Client: いつもお世話になっております。ABC商事の佐藤です。恐れ入りますが、営業部の鈴木様はいらっしゃいますでしょうか？

(Thank you for your continued support. This is Sato from ABC Trading. Excuse me, is Mr. Suzuki of the Sales Department there?)

- Employee: 佐藤様、いつもお世話になっております。申し訳ございません、鈴木はただいま別の電話に出ております。終わり次第、こちらから折り返しご連絡を差し上げてもよろしいでしょうか？

(Mr. Sato, thank you for your support. I do apologize, Suzuki is currently on another call. When he is finished, would it be alright if I have him call you back?)

- Client: 承知しました。では、お願いいたします。

(Understood. Please do so.)

Dialogue 3: Internal Slack/Email Exchange

- Junior Employee: 田中部長、お疲れ様です。先ほどご共有いただいた企画書、拝見いたしました。

(Director Tanaka, thank you for your hard work. I have humbly seen the project proposal you shared earlier.)

- Senior Employee (Tanaka): お疲れ様です。ありがとうございます。何か気になる点はありましたか？

(Thank you for your hard work. Thank you. Were there any points that concerned you?)

- Junior Employee: はい、2点ほど質問がございます。今、少しだけお時間をいただいてもよろしいでしょうか？

(Yes, I have about two questions. Would it be alright to humbly receive a little of your time now?)

Quick FAQ

Q: Is 召し上がる only for food and drink?

In modern Japanese, yes, it is almost exclusively used for eating, drinking, or taking medicine (薬を召し上がる). Archaically, it had broader meanings, but you can safely associate it with consumption. It is the definitive Sonkeigo verb for this action.

Q: What is the difference between いたす and します?

いたす is the Kenjōgo (humble) equivalent of します. You use いたす when your action of "doing" is for the benefit of, or directed toward, a respected person. 私が対応いたします (I will handle it) is used with a customer, positioning your action as a humble service. 家でゲームをします (I play games at home) is a neutral action with no respected recipient, so します is correct.

Q: When should I use いらっしゃる vs. おいでになる?

Both are high-level Sonkeigo for going, coming, or being. いらっしゃる is the most common, versatile, and safe choice in modern business Japanese. おいでになる can sound slightly more formal, traditional, or even softer. It's often heard in formal announcements (まもなく会長がおいでになります) or from staff in very high-end hotels and ryokan. When in doubt, いらっしゃる will always be correct.

Q: Why do store clerks shout いらっしゃいませ?

ませ (mase) is a polite, formal imperative suffix. It is attached to the stem of a verb (the part before -masu). In this case, it's the stem of いらっしゃいます, which is いらっしゃい. So, いらっしゃい + ませ -> いらっしゃいませ. It's a highly welcoming and respectful set phrase meaning "Please come in!" or "Welcome!" You'll also hear it in ご覧くださいませ (Please look).

Q: What’s the difference between 存じている (zonjiteiru) and 存じ上げている (zonjiageteiru)?

Both are Kenjōgo for "to know," but they have different targets. 存じている is for knowing facts or information. Example: その件については、存じております。 (I am aware of that matter.) 存じ上げている is used exclusively for knowing a person you respect. Example: 田中先生は、学生の頃からよく存じ上げております。 (I have known Professor Tanaka well since I was a student.) Using 存じ上げる for a fact is a common error.

Special Keigo Verb Table

Dictionary Sonkeigo (Respect) Kenjougo (Humble) Meaning
食べる
召し上がる
いただく
Eat
行く
いらっしゃる
参る
Go
言う
おっしゃる
申す
Say
見る
ご覧になる
拝見する
See
知る
ご存じだ
存じ上げる
Know
来る
いらっしゃる
参る
Come

Meanings

These are irregular verbs that completely replace standard dictionary forms to express high levels of politeness in Japanese society.

1

Sonkeigo (Respectful)

Used to describe the actions of someone you respect (e.g., a client, boss, or elder).

“先生が{召し上がる}。 (The teacher eats.)”

“お客様が{いらっしゃる}。 (The customer arrives.)”

2

Kenjougo (Humble)

Used to describe your own actions when interacting with someone of higher status.

“私が{申します}。 (I will say/my name is.)”

“私が{伺います}。 (I will visit/ask.)”

Reference Table

Reference table for Special Keigo Verbs: Respectful & Humble Japanese (召し上がる, いらっしゃる, 申す)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Verb + ます
申します
Negative
Verb + ません
召し上がりません
Past
Verb + ました
いらっしゃいました
Question
Verb + ますか
おっしゃいますか？
Te-form
Verb + て
伺って
Potential
Rarely used
N/A

Formality Spectrum

Formal
参ります。

参ります。 (Business meeting)

Neutral
行きます。

行きます。 (Business meeting)

Informal
行くよ。

行くよ。 (Business meeting)

Slang
行くわ。

行くわ。 (Business meeting)

Keigo Directionality

Speaker

Superior

  • 召し上がる Eat (Respect)

Self

  • 申す Say (Humble)
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Examples by Level

1

先生が{召し上がる}。

The teacher eats.

2

私が{申します}。

I will say (my name is).

3

お客様が{いらっしゃる}。

The customer is here.

4

お名前は？

What is your name?

1

社長が{おっしゃる}。

The president says.

2

明日{伺います}。

I will visit tomorrow.

3

何を{召し上がります}か？

What will you eat?

4

すぐ{参ります}。

I will come soon.

1

先生はもう{いらっしゃいました}か？

Has the teacher arrived yet?

2

先ほど{申しました}通りです。

It is as I said earlier.

3

部長が{おっしゃった}ことです。

It is what the manager said.

4

こちらへ{参りましょう}。

Let's go this way.

1

お客様が{召し上がって}いらっしゃいます。

The customer is eating.

2

私が{伺って}もよろしいですか？

May I visit?

3

社長が{おっしゃる}には…

According to what the president says...

4

ご{存じ}ですか？

Do you know?

1

先生が{おっしゃる}ことには深い意味がある。

There is deep meaning in what the teacher says.

2

私が{存じ上げない}ことです。

It is something I am not aware of.

3

わざわざ{お越しいただき}ありがとうございます。

Thank you for coming all this way.

4

ご{拝見}いたします。

I will take a look (at your document).

1

ご{高覧}いただければ幸いです。

I would appreciate it if you could look at this.

2

お{目にかかる}のを楽しみにしております。

I look forward to meeting you.

3

ご{清聴}ありがとうございました。

Thank you for your kind attention.

4

お{足元}にお気をつけください。

Please watch your step.

Easily Confused

Special Keigo Verbs: Respectful & Humble Japanese (召し上がる, いらっしゃる, 申す) vs Sonkeigo vs Kenjougo

Mixing up who the verb elevates.

Common Mistakes

✗

私は召し上がります。

✓

私は食べます。

You cannot use Sonkeigo for yourself.
✗

社長が申しました。

✓

社長がおっしゃいました。

Use Sonkeigo for the boss.
✗

お召し上がりになります。

✓

召し上がります。

Double honorific is redundant.
✗

お客様に申します。

✓

お客様に申し上げます。

Need the humble suffix.

Sentence Patterns

___は___を___。

Real World Usage

Job Interview very common

本日は伺えて光栄です。

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💡

Focus on the Subject

Always identify the subject first.

Smart Tips

Use Sonkeigo.

社長が食べる。 → 社長が召し上がる。

Pronunciation

me-shi-a-ga-ru

Pitch Accent

Keigo verbs often have a flatter pitch to sound more composed.

Formal Drop

Sentence ends with a slight downward pitch.

Certainty and professionalism.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Sonkeigo' as 'Sun-keigo'—it shines light UP on the other person. 'Kenjougo' is 'Ken-low-go'—it brings you LOW.

Visual Association

Imagine a tall king (Superior) and a small servant (You). The king eats (召し上がる) and the servant speaks (申す).

Rhyme

For the boss, use Sonkeigo, to let their status glow. For yourself, use Kenjougo, to keep your own status low.

Story

I walked into the office. My boss (Superior) was eating (召し上がる). I approached him and said (申す) that I would visit (伺う) the client later. He nodded and said (おっしゃる) that he would see (ご覧になる) the report later.

Word Web

召し上がるいらっしゃるおっしゃる申す伺う参るご覧になる存じ上げる

Challenge

Write 3 sentences about your day using one Sonkeigo verb and one Kenjougo verb.

Cultural Notes

Keigo is the 'lubricant' of business. It prevents friction.

Rooted in ancient court language.

Conversation Starters

“

先生は明日何を召し上がりますか？

Journal Prompts

Describe a meeting with a boss.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Pick the right verb. Multiple Choice

社長が___。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 召し上がる
Boss is superior.

Score: /1

Practice Exercises

1 exercises
Pick the right verb. Multiple Choice

社長が___。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 召し上がる
Boss is superior.

Score: /1

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Fill in the blank for 'go/come' in a humble context. Fill in the Blank

明日、10時にオフィスへ___。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 参ります
Reorder the words to ask if someone has seen the document. Sentence Reorder

資料を / もう / ご覧に / なりましたか

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 資料を もう ご覧に なりましたか
Translate 'What did you do?' into honorific Japanese. Translation

What did you do? (to a superior)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 何をなさいましたか？
Match the standard verb with its Sonkeigo (Honorific) pair. Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 行く - いらっしゃる, 食べる - 召し上がる, 言う - おっしゃる, する - なさる
How do you conjugate 'irassharu' to the polite 'masu' form? Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: いらっしゃいます
Correct the waiter's mistake. Error Correction

何にいたしますか？ (The waiter is asking the customer)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 何になさいますか？
Fill in the blank: 'I know that.' (Humble) Fill in the Blank

はい、そのことは___。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 存じております
Which verb is Kenjougo (Humble)? Multiple Choice

Pick the humble verb:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 申す
Reorder: 'Please eat.' (Honorific) Sentence Reorder

どうぞ / 召し上がって / ください

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: どうぞ 召し上がって ください
Translate 'I will do it' (Humble) into Japanese. Translation

I will do it.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 私がいたします。

Score: /10

FAQ (1)

No, it sounds sarcastic.

Scaffolded Practice

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In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Usted

Japanese changes the verb itself.

French moderate

Vouvoyer

Verb vs Pronoun.

German low

Sie

Grammar vs Lexicon.

Japanese high

Keigo

None.

Arabic moderate

Formal address

Titles vs Verbs.

Chinese low

Nin

Pronoun vs Verb.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Respectful Verbs: The "O-ni naru" Pattern
Next
Humble Actions: Doing things for others (O-suru / Go-suru)

Related Grammar Rules

B2

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