Unit 2 - Section 4: Causative Passive
Honorific and Humble Language (敬語)
Master formal, respectful, and humble language patterns essential for business and formal contexts.
Types of Keigo (敬語)
1. Honorific (尊敬語): When talking ABOUT others (usually superiors)
- Regular: 先生は今日来ます。
- Keigo: 先生は今日おみえになります。 - "Teacher comes" (formal/respectful)
2. Humble (謙譲語): When talking ABOUT yourself or your group (makes you lower)
- Regular: 私は来ます。
- Keigo: 私は参ります。 - "I go" (humble)
3. Polite (丁寧語): General politeness (～ます form)
- これは良いです。 - "This is good." (polite)
Common Keigo Verbs
| Regular | Honorific (敬語) | Humble (謙譲) |
|---|---|---|
| 来る | おいでになる | 参る |
| 言う | おっしゃる | 申し上げる |
| 做る | なさる | させていただく |
| 見る | ご覧になる | 拝見する |
| 知る | ご存じ | 存じ上げる |
Study Tips
Master Keigo (敬語):
- Essential for professionals: Business contexts require proper keigo
- Start with basics: Focus on most common verbs first
- Listen and observe: Pay attention to how native speakers use honorifics
- Practice appropriately: Use with supervisors, elders, and unfamiliar people
Course Navigation
Study Tips
- Read each example carefully
- Practice pronunciation aloud
- Create your own sentences to reinforce memory
- Finish the section quiz