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)
相手の動作 → 尊敬語
自分の動作 → 謙譲語
ていねいな形 → 丁寧語 (です・ます)
Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)
Meaning
- 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).
Also
- 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。
てんちょうが おおさかへ いらっしゃいます。
The store manager is going to Osaka.
私が 大阪へ まいります。
わたしが おおさかへ まいります。
I will go to Osaka. (humbly)
私が 大阪へ 行きます。
わたしが おおさかへ いきます。
I will go to Osaka. (plain polite)
Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)
Question: 1/3
Which 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