Japanese Keigo: Complete Guide to Honorific Language
Keigo (敬語 — literally “respectful language”) is the system of honorific speech that permeates formal Japanese. It is not a layer you add on top of Japanese; it is a completely different vocabulary and set of verb forms that replace casual equivalents depending on who you are speaking to and what you are speaking about.
Most learners encounter keigo for the first time at JLPT N4 or N3 level. Full business-level keigo — where mistakes genuinely cause awkwardness or offence — is an N2 concern. This guide covers everything you need: the three types, the 10 most important verb pairs, the most common mistakes, and a practical framework for when to use which form.
Why keigo matters
Japan has a highly contextualised social hierarchy expressed through language. Using casual speech with a customer is not merely impolite — it signals a fundamental lack of professional competence. Using the wrong keigo form (humble form when you should use respectful form, for example) is similarly jarring for a Japanese interlocutor.
Keigo is not optional for professional Japanese. It is mandatory for:
- Business emails and formal correspondence
- Customer service and client-facing roles
- Meetings and presentations in Japanese companies
- Any interaction with social superiors (teachers, employers, senior colleagues)
- Service industry (retail, hospitality, healthcare)
The three types of keigo
1. 尊敬語 (Sonkeigo — Respectful speech)
Sonkeigo elevates the actions and status of the person you are speaking to or about. When you use 尊敬語, you are linguistically raising the other person's actions. It is used for customers, clients, bosses, teachers, or anyone socially above you.
2. 謙譲語 (Kenjougo — Humble speech)
Kenjougo lowers the speaker's own actions and status, showing humility. When you use 謙譲語, you are linguistically lowering yourself and your actions to elevate the other person by contrast. It is used for your own actions when speaking to social superiors.
3. 丁寧語 (Teineigo — Polite speech)
Teineigo is the standard polite register — the ます/です form you learned early in Japanese study. It is not about raising or lowering social status; it is simply a neutral formal register used in most professional and public contexts. Most learners use this without realising it is technically part of keigo.
10 essential keigo verb pairs
These are the irregular keigo verbs that cannot be derived from regular rules. They must be memorised. They are tested at N3, N2, and N1.
| Plain form | 尊敬語 (for others) | 謙譲語 (for yourself) | 丁寧語 |
|---|---|---|---|
| する (to do) | なさる | いたす | します |
| いる (to be/exist) | いらっしゃる | おる | います |
| いく (to go) | いらっしゃる / おいでになる | まいる | いきます |
| くる (to come) | いらっしゃる / おいでになる | まいる | きます |
| いう (to say) | おっしゃる | もうす / もうしあげる | いいます |
| もらう (to receive) | — | いただく | もらいます |
| あげる (to give) | — | さしあげる | あげます |
| くれる (to give [to me]) | くださる | — | くれます |
| 食べる/飲む (to eat/drink) | めしあがる | いただく | 食べます/飲みます |
| 知っている (to know) | ご存知だ | 存じる | 知っています |
Regular keigo formation (お/ご + verb stem + になる)
For verbs not in the irregular list above, you can often form 尊敬語 with the pattern お/ご + verb stem + になる:
For 謙譲語, the regular pattern is お/ご + verb stem + する/いたす:
Common keigo mistakes
Mistake 1: Using 尊敬語 for your own actions
Wrong私はいらっしゃいます。
Right私はおります。
いらっしゃる is 尊敬語 — it elevates the other person. Using it for yourself is the most common and most serious keigo error.
Mistake 2: Double respectful speech
Wrong部長がおっしゃられました。
Right部長がおっしゃいました。
おっしゃる is already 尊敬語 for 言う. Adding られる (another respectful marker) is double-respectful — grammatically incorrect and sounds unnatural.
Mistake 3: Using いただく for giving (not receiving)
Wrongお客様にカタログをいただきます。
Rightお客様にカタログをお渡しします / さしあげます。
いただく is the humble form of もらう (receive). When giving something to a customer, use さしあげる (humble give) or お渡しする.
Mistake 4: Mixing registers in the same sentence
Wrong部長が来る予定はいらっしゃいますか？
Right部長がいらっしゃる予定はありますか？/ 部長はいらっしゃいますか？
Respectful forms must be consistent throughout the clause referring to the person being respected. Mixing plain and respectful forms in the same clause sounds incoherent.
Practical framework: when to use which form
- Speaking about the other person's actions: 尊敬語 (いらっしゃる, おっしゃる, めしあがる, ご存知だ, くださる)
- Speaking about your own actions directed at a superior: 謙譲語 (おる, まいる, もうす, いただく, さしあげる, 存じる)
- General polite speech: 丁寧語 (ます/です)
- With family, friends, close colleagues: Casual speech (no keigo)
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Check my Japanese free →N2 study guideFrequently asked questions
What is keigo in Japanese?
Keigo (敬語) is the system of honorific language in Japanese. It has three types: 尊敬語 (respectful speech about others), 謙譲語 (humble speech about yourself), and 丁寧語 (standard polite speech).
When do I need to use keigo?
Keigo is required in business settings, formal emails, customer service, meetings, and with social superiors (teachers, bosses, clients).
What is the difference between 尊敬語 and 謙譲語?
尊敬語 elevates the actions of the person you are speaking to or about. 謙譲語 lowers your own actions, showing humility. Example: いらっしゃる = 尊敬語 for いる (for others); おる = 謙譲語 (for yourself).
What JLPT level tests keigo?
Keigo basics appear from N4. Full keigo with irregular verb pairs is tested at N3/N2/N1. Business-level keigo proficiency is an N2 standard.