敬語の 三種類 (keigo no sanshurui) — The three kinds of 敬語
Three roads to respect — a map of which one is needed when.
Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)
Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)
敬語 comes in three kinds. **尊敬語** — raising what the other person does (社長が いらっしゃいます). **謙譲語** — lowering what you do (私が まいります). **丁寧語** — です・ます, the basic politeness you already know (私が 行きます). Choosing is easy: ask **who does the action**. If they do it, 尊敬語; if you do it, 謙譲語. Whoever does it, the sentence still ends in です・ます — that part is 丁寧語. This lesson teaches 尊敬語 in detail; 謙譲語 comes in the next lesson.
Examples (उदाहरणहरू)
店長が 大阪へ いらっしゃいます。
tenchou ga oosaka e irasshaimasu.
The store manager is going to Osaka.
私が 大阪へ まいります。
watashi ga oosaka e mairimasu.
I will go to Osaka. (humbly)
私が 大阪へ 行きます。
watashi ga oosaka e ikimasu.
I will go to Osaka. (plain polite)
Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)
Question: 1/3Which is the 尊敬語 of 「行きます」?
💡 Hint: The word that raises the other person.
いらっしゃいます is 尊敬語; まいります is 謙譲語 (your own action).
What is the 敬語 that lowers your own action called?
💡 Hint: 謙 means being humble.
謙譲語 lowers your own action, which leaves the other person above.
Which kind of 敬語 is です・ます?
💡 Hint: The basic politeness you learned from day one.
です・ます is 丁寧語. It has nothing to do with who does the action.
Your score: /3